Key law changes for the 2026-27 football season outlined

The FA has released a summary of the significant law changes for this season, aimed at assisting clubs, managers, players, referees, and spectators in preparing for the new campaign. More comprehensive details on these changes can be accessed in the resources section below.

Law 3 – The Players The number of substitutes allowed in senior ‘A’ international team friendly matches has been increased to eight, or eleven if both teams agree and notify the referee in advance. The previous restriction of three substitution opportunities per team will still apply. Players now have a ten-second time limit to leave the pitch when being substituted. If this limit is exceeded, the substitute cannot enter until the first stoppage after one minute has passed. Additionally, the ‘Only the captain’ guidelines will become a mandatory protocol for all competitions starting from 1st July 2027.

Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment Accessories are permitted as long as they are not dangerous and are securely covered.

Law 5 – The Referee Competitions are allowed to use technology to assist referees in making or changing decisions in relation to the video assistant referee (VAR) protocol, ball in/out of play (including goal line technology), and offside (including semi-automated offside technology). There is also clarification that advantage may be applied when a restart is incorrectly taken and the ball is in play. With certain exceptions, players who receive assessment or treatment on the pitch, or who cause play to stop due to injury, must leave and remain off the field for one minute after play has resumed. VAR may review: an incorrect red card resulting from a clearly wrong second yellow card, a player wrongly shown a red or yellow card when the offence was committed by another player of either team, and a wrongly awarded corner kick if the decision can be changed immediately and without delaying the restart (competition option). Competitions may also provide referees, assistant referees, and fourth officials with body cameras.

Law 6 – The Other Match Officials There are additions to the list of VAR-reviewable incidents.

Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play The dropped ball text has been amended to clarify that the team that ‘would have gained possession’ includes the team that would have taken the restart in situations where the ball would have gone out of play. In cases of interference by a match official or outside agent, the ball is dropped at the position of the interference.

Law 10 – Determining the Outcome of a Match There is confirmation of circular no. 31 regarding accidental double touches during penalties (penalty shoot-out) and the removal of the automatic caution (YC) for the kicker if they and the goalkeeper offend simultaneously.

Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct No caution (YC) will be given for a DOGSO offence if the advantage is played and a goal is scored. The term ‘attackers’ has been added to the considerations for DOGSO.

Law 14 – The Penalty Kick Confirmation of circular no. 31 regarding accidental double touches at a penalty kick and the removal of the automatic caution (YC) for the kicker if they and the goalkeeper offend at the same time.

Law 15 – The Throw-in A five-second visual countdown will be used when a player or team delays taking a throw-in. If the limit is exceeded, the throw-in will be awarded to the opposing team.

Law 16 – The Goal Kick A five-second visual countdown will also be implemented for delays in taking a goal kick. If this time limit is exceeded, a corner kick will be awarded to the opposing team.

Video assistant referee (VAR) protocol Red cards resulting from a clearly incorrect second yellow card are now reviewable. Mistaken identity is also reviewable when a player is shown a yellow or red card for an offence committed by another player of either team. Competitions can review corner kicks that have been clearly misawarded if the decision can be corrected immediately and without delaying the restart.

Source: www.berks-bucksfa.com