AMENDMENTS TO THE LAWS OF THE GAME 1994

				  Circular no. 528

						13 April 1994
						JSB/MZR-mw

Dear Sirs,

AMENDMENTS TO THE LAWS OF THE GAME 1994

At its annual meeting in FIFA House in Zurich, Switzerland on Saturday, 5 March 1994, the Inernational Football Association Board made a number of amendments to the Laws of the Game and the decisions. The Board also issued two important instructions. The relevant texts appear hereunder.

I. LAWS OF THE GAME AND DECISIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL F.A. BOARD

NOTES
(on page 4 of the current addition of the Laws of the Game)

A new paragraph has been added at the bottom of these notes after the paragraph:

"Further modifications are only possible with the consent of the International Football Association Board",

New Text:

References to the male gender within the Laws of the Game in respect of referees, linesmen, players, or officials are for simplification and refer to both males and females.

Reason:

With the rapid development of women's football, it is appropriate that this clarification now be made.

Law I - The Field of Play
former text	new text
(6) The goals shall be placed on the center of each goal-line and shall consist of two upright posts, equidistant from the corner flags and 8 yards apart (inside measurement), joined by a horizontal cross-bar, the lower edge of which shall be 8 foot from the ground.	(6) the goals shall be placed on the center of each goal-line and shall consist of two upright posts, equidistant from the corner flags and 8 yards apart (inside measurement), joined by a horizontal cross-bar, the lower edge of which shall be 8 foot from the ground.
	For safety reasons, the goals, including those which are portable, must be anchored securely in the ground.
The width and depth of the cross-bars shall not exceed 5 inches (12cm).	The width and depth of the cross-bars shall not exceed 5 inches (12cm).

(the remaining text is unchanged)

Reason:

The additional sentence ensures that an essential safety factor is reflected in the Law and applies to all goals, including portable goals.

Law III - Number of Players
former text	new text
(2) Substitutes may be used in any match played under the rules of an official competition under the jurisdiction of FIFA, Confederations or National Associations, subject to the following conditions:	(2) unchanged
(a) that the authority of the international association(s) or National Association(s) concerned has been obtained.	(a) unchanged
(b) that, subject to the restriction contained in the following paragraph (c), the rules of a competition shall state how many, if any, substitutes may be nominated and how many of those nominated may be used.	(b) that, subject to the restriction contained in the following paragraphs (c) and (d), the rules of a competition shall state how many, if any, substitutes may be designated and how many of those designated may be used.
(c) that a team shall not be permitted to use more than two substitutes in any match who must be chosen from not more than five players whose names may (subject to the rules of the competition) be required to be given to the referee prior to the commencement of the match.	(c) unchanged
	(d) Notwithstanding the limitation imposed in (c), a team may also use a third substitute provided that he is designated as a substitute goalkeeper, who may be used to replace only the goalkeeper. If, however, the goalkeeper is ordered off, the designated substitute goalkeeper may subsequently replace another player of the same team and play as goalkeeper.

Reason:

This amendment reflects the wish of many football coaches and will benefit the modern game.

Law VI - Linesmen

Decisions of the International Football Association Board
former text	new text
(2) National Associations are advised to appoint official referees of neutral nationality to act as linesmen in international matches.	(2) In international "A" matches; national associations should appoint neutral linesmen from the International List.

Reason:

This amendment is necessary now that there is an official FIFA List of International Linesmen.

II. OTHER DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE INTERNATIONAL F.A. BOARD

The board also decided to include the following text and diagram in the re-edited version of the FIFA booklet on the Laws of the Game so as to further clarify the definition of the Technical Area:

The Technical Area

The Technical Area as defined in Law V, International F.A. Board Decision No. 13, relates particularly to matches played in stadia with a designated seated area for technical staff and substitutes as shown below.

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			| Drawing of players and coaches 	|
			| sitting and standing in an enclosed	|
			| technical area			|
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			|_______________________________________|

It is recognised that Technical Areas may vary between stadia, for example in in size or location, but notwithstanding, the following notes are issued for general guidance.

The Technical Area shall be considered as extending 1 metre on either side of the designated seating area and shall extend forward up to a distance of 1 meter away from the touchline.
Markings are not required to define this area.
The number of persons permitted to occupy the Technical Area shall be defined by the rules of the competition.
The occupants of the Technical Area shall be identified before the commencement of the match in accordance with the rules of the competion.
Only one person has the authority to convey technical instructions and he must return to his position immediately after giving these instructions
The coach and other officials must remain within the confines of the Technical Area except in special circumstances, for example, a physiotherapist or doctor entering the field of play with the referee's permission to treat an injured player.
The coach and other occupants of the Technical Area must conduct themselves, at all times, in a responsible manner.

III. FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS FOR REFEREES

1. Reckless Challenges

The Board showed much concern about the increasing tendency among players to move their arms and elbows, without due care, too near to opponents whilst competing for the ball. Referees should, therefore, take stringent measures against the offenders by applying the sanctions available to them under Law XII.

2. Kicking an opponent

The Board discussed the increasing number of incidents where violent challenges were made from behind with little or no attempt to play the ball.
It emphasised the fact that the current Laws of the Game forbid such actions and condemn it as serious foul play.

Such violent and unacceptable challenges can result in a serious injury. Referees must apply the sanctions laid down in Law XII and send off any player guilty of this offence.

The aforementioned amendments, decisions, and instructions are binding as from 1 July 1994 (except in the circumstances provided for under Rule 9 of the International F.A. Board).

We would like to call your attention to the fact that the International F.A. Board gave FIFA permission to implement the aforementioned amendments as from the first match of the 1994 World Cup finals on 17 June 1994.

						Yours faithfully,
					     FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE
					      DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
						 General Secretary


						   J.S. Blatter

[Rules.]