Reading RA - From the Middle

Have you ever seen the laws?

During this series both John Moore and I have referred frequently to such and such a ‘law’ or ‘the Laws’ in general. They are important because they govern our game but, considering all the controversies about referees’ decisions, it’s hard to imagine there are only 17 of them.

Football is a simple game in concept and, ever since the first Cambridge rules of the last century which signalled the separation of ‘Association’ football from Rugby, the Laws have reflected that. Although Stanley Rous of the FA (later Sir Stanley) rewrote them in 1938 for clarification, there were still only seventeen as there are today.

What never ceases to surprise referees is how few players and fans have ever actually seen the Laws, in print that is. And yet we shouldn’t really be surprised.. Most of us pick up our knowledge of the Laws from playing and that explains why the knowledge is often pretty sketchy and inaccurate, not to say plain wrong.

The Laws and amendments

Nine of the Laws cover technical things like the pitch, equipment, number of players, length of games, and six are about particular situations, like corners, free kicks and penalties. Arguably the other two are the most important for referees (and players): Law 5 - The Referee (where all his duties are spelled out) and Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct (self explanatory!).

The Laws and any changes to them have been in the hands of the ‘International FA Board’ since 1886 - a body made up four members from the home nations and four from FIFA. Yet in recent years most changes have come about from the so-called ‘Mandatory Instructions’ issued at the start of the season which tell referees what they have to do in certain circumstances, and may end up incorporated in the Laws afterwards.

Publications of the Laws

Referees are occasionally asked where you can actually find the Laws. Various places. They are sometimes printed at the back of books about football but, be warned, they may not include the IB decisions, and are likely to be out of date

Until 1993 the best reference book was the so-called ‘Referees’ Chart’ which included all the IB decisions as well as specific advice for referees on many of the Laws.. The second part of its title was ‘Players’ Guide’ but I guess not many players felt the need to buy one.

Now things are different. The booklet is entitled the ‘Laws of Association Football’ and over the past six years there has been a lot of detailed re-writing. Many IB decisions as well as changes to Law are now incorporated, but a number of helpful statements have disappeared. For example, under Law 12, IB decision 7 used to explain that a player within playing distance of the ball and screening it is not committing an offence. It seems a pity that decision is no longer included, when so many people misread the situation, as John pointed out only last week. The booklet is published annually by Pan and cost £5-50 this season.

Electronic access too

However, as FIFA is on the information superhighway (unlike the English FA), you can download the latest version of the Laws in English, French, German and/or Spanish. Just click here.

Brian Palmer

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