Law Changes 16/17 - Law 10 - Determining the Outcome of a Match

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10.1 Title change

Old Title
The Method of Scoring

New Title
Determining the Outcome of a Match

Explanation
Kicks from the Penalty Mark, Away goals, etc. now included in this Law

 

10.2.1 Choosing the goal for the kicks from the penalty mark (KFPM)

Old Text
The referee chooses the goal at which the kicks will be taken. The penalty area where the kicks from the penalty marks are taking place may be changed only if the goal or the playing surface becomes unusable.

New Text
Unless there are other considerations (e.g. ground conditions, safety etc..) the referee tosses a coin to decide the goal at which the kicks will be taken which may only be changed for safety reasons or if the goal or playing surface becomes unusable

Explanation
Referees find it difficult to decide which goal to use with home supporters at one end and away supporters at the other end. Subject to over-riding considerations (security, condition of the field etc…) the fairest method is to toss a coin.

 

10.2.2 Eligible players (including those temporarily off the field)

Old Text
With the exception of the foregoing case, only players who are on the field of play at the end of the match, which includes extra time where appropriate, are eligible to take kicks from the penalty mark

New Text
With the exception of a substitute for an injured goalkeeper, only players who are on the field of play or are temporarily off the field (injury, adjusting equipment etc…) at the end of the match are eligible to take kicks from the penalty mark.

Explanation
Clarifies that a player temporarily off the field legitimately (injury, changing equipment etc...) can take part, as can a substitute who replaces a goalkeeper.

 

10.2.3 Naming and order of penalty taker

Old Text
Each team is responsible for selecting the players from those on the field of play at the end of the match and the order in which they will take the kicks.

New Text
Each team is responsible for selecting from the eligible players the order in which they will take the kicks. The referee is not informed of the order

Explanation
Clarifies that the names and/or the order of the kickers do not have to be given to the referee (some incorrectly ask for the names and stop the order being changed).

 

10.2.4 Same number of players

Old Text
If at the end of the match and before the kicks start to be taken from the penalty mark one team has a greater number of players than its opponents, it must reduce its numbers to equate with that of its opponents and the captain must inform the referee of the name and number of each player excluded. If a player is injured or sent off during the taking of kicks from the penalty mark and the team has one player fewer, the referee should not reduce the number of players taking kicks for the other team. An equal number of players from each team is required only at the start of the taking of kicks from the penalty mark.

New Text
If at the end of the match and before or during the kicks one team has a greater number of players than its opponents, it must reduce its numbers to the same number as its opponents and the referee must be informed of the name and number of each player excluded.

Explanation
This applies the ‘fair play’ principle at the start of KFPM i.e. one team should not benefit from having fewer kickers than their opponents as this could mean their ‘best’ kicker taking a 2nd kick against the opponents’ last/worst kicker.

 

10.2.5 Goalkeeper unable to continue

Old Text
A goalkeeper who is injured while kicks are being taken from the penalty mark and is unable to continue as goalkeeper may be replaced by a named substitute provided his team has not used the maximum number of substitutes permitted under the competition rules

New Text
A goalkeeper who is unable to continue before or during the kicks and whose team has not used its maximum permitted number of substitutes, may be replaced by a named substitute, or a player excluded to equalise the number of players, but the goalkeeper takes no further part and may not take a kick.

Explanation
Clarifies that a goalkeeper can be replaced at any time by a substitute (or by a player excluded to make the numbers equal) but may not take a kick.

10.2.6 When penalty is completed (see 14.3)

Additional Text
The kick is completed when the ball stops moving, goes out of play or the referee stops play for any infringement of the Laws

Explanation
Clarifies when a referee should decide a kick is over (see 14.3).

 

10.2.7 Sequence of kickers

Additional Text
• Each kick is taken by a different player and all eligible players must take a kick before any player can take a second kick
• The above principle continues for any subsequent sequence of kicks but a team may change the order of kickers

Explanation
Clarifies that all team members must take the same number of kicks before a player can take another kick; the order can be changed for the new ‘round’ of kicks

 

10.2.8 Player leaving the field of play

Additional Text
Kicks from the penalty mark must not be delayed for a player who leaves the field of play. The player’s kick will be ‘forfeited’ (not scored) if the player does not return in time to take a kick.

Explanation
Clarifies that the referee must not delay KFPM if a player leaves the field of play; if the player is not back in time the kick is missed (forfeited). It is important to stop this potentially unfair conduct (instructions from the coach, deliberate delay, match fixing etc.).