Law Changes 16/17 - Law 13 - Free Kicks

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13.1 Free kicks are awarded to the opposing team

Old Text
Free kicks are direct or indirect.

New Text
Direct and indirect free kicks are awarded to the opposing team of a player guilty of an offence or infringement.

Explanation
Stating that a free kick is awarded to the opposing team at the start of the Law allows the removal of the many uses of the phrase ‘to the opposing team’

 

13.2 Position of free kicks

Additional Text
All free kicks are taken from the place where the infringement occurred except:

Explanation
Clear statement at the start of this Law allows the removal of specific reference to the position of the free kick in many of the Laws.

 

13.3 Fouls off the field of play

Old Text
Free kicks awarded for offences involving a player entering, re-entering or leaving the field of play without permission are taken from the position of the ball when play was stopped.

New Text
Free kicks for offences involving a player entering, re-entering or leaving the field of play without permission are taken from the position of the ball when play was stopped. However, if a player leaves the field of play as part of play and commits an offence against another player, play is restarted with a free kick taken on the boundary line nearest to where the offence occurred; for direct free kick offences, a penalty kick is awarded, if this is within the offender’s penalty area.

Explanation
Consistent with change outlined in 12.16 and 14.1.

 

13.4 Ball must clearly move to be in play

Old Text
The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.

New Text
The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves…

Explanation
Change consistent with kick-off (8.3), penalty kick (14.2) and corner kick (17.2).

 

13.5 Stopping/intercepting free kicks

Old Text
If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is near the ball deliberately prevents him taking the kick, the referee must caution the player for delaying the restart of play. If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is less than 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball intercepts it, the referee must allow play to continue.

New Text
If a player takes a free kick quickly and an opponent who is less than 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball intercepts it, the referee allows play to continue. However, an opponent who deliberately prevents a free kick being taken must be cautioned for delaying the restart of play.

Explanation
Paragraphs reversed; clearer distinction between ‘preventing’ a free kick being taken and ‘intercepting’ a quick free kick after it has been taken