Futsal Laws of the Game 2024-2025

Industry Overview - The Futsal Laws of the Game 2024-25 are approved by the FIFA Council and will be effective from 4 November 2024 [1] - The laws are published in English, Arabic, French, and Spanish, with the English text being authoritative in case of any divergence [7] - National football associations can translate the laws using FIFA's layout template and submit their official translations to FIFA for publication on FIFA.com [8] Key Regulations Pitch Specifications - The pitch surface must be flat, smooth, and non-abrasive, preferably made of wood or artificial material [28] - For international matches, the pitch dimensions must be between 38m-42m in length and 20m-25m in width [36] - The penalty area is defined by two 6m lines from the goalposts and a 3.16m line parallel to the goal line [39] - A 10m mark is made from the midpoint between the goalposts, with additional marks at 5m on either side [42] Ball Specifications - The ball must be spherical, made of suitable material, and have a circumference of 62cm-64cm and a weight of 400g-440g [74] - The ball must not bounce lower than 50cm or higher than 65cm when dropped from a height of 2m [74] - Balls used in official competitions must meet FIFA Quality Programme requirements and bear the appropriate mark [75] Player Regulations - Each team consists of a maximum of five players, including the goalkeeper, and a match cannot start or resume with fewer than three players [87] - An unlimited number of substitutions may be made during a match, with a maximum of nine substitutes allowed in official competitions [91] - The substitution procedure requires the player being replaced to leave the pitch via their team's substitution zone before the substitute enters [98] Match Officials - Each match is controlled by two referees with full authority to enforce the Futsal Laws of the Game [157] - The referees' decisions regarding facts connected with play, including goals and match results, are final [158] - A second referee is mandatory for international matches, and a third referee and timekeeper may also be appointed [174][193] Match Procedures Duration and Timeouts - A match consists of two equal periods of 20 minutes, which may only be reduced if permitted by competition rules [199] - Each team is entitled to a one-minute timeout in each period, which can be requested when the ball is out of play [207] - No timeouts are allowed during extra time, and the half-time interval should not exceed 15 minutes [210] Restart of Play - A kick-off starts both periods of a match and restarts play after a goal, with the ball placed on the center mark [212] - A dropped ball is used to restart play when the referees stop play and no other restart is required by the laws [217] - If the ball hits the ceiling during play, a kick-in is awarded to the opponents of the team that last touched the ball [227] Disciplinary Actions Fouls and Misconduct - Direct free kicks are awarded for offenses such as charging, kicking, pushing, striking, tackling, or tripping an opponent [261] - Indirect free kicks are awarded for offenses like playing in a dangerous manner, impeding an opponent without contact, or dissent [268] - A player who commits a cautionable or sending-off offense, either on or off the pitch, is disciplined according to the offense [281] Cautions and Sendings-Off - A player is cautioned for offenses such as delaying the restart of play, dissent, or unsporting behavior [286] - A substitute is cautioned for offenses like entering the pitch in contravention of the substitution procedure or unsporting behavior [287] - A player or substitute is sent off for offenses such as denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity, serious foul play, or violent conduct [293] Additional Provisions Video Support - Video support (VS) is permitted when match/competition organizers fulfill FIFA's protocol and implementation requirements [178] - VS can be used to review decisions related to goals, penalty kicks, direct red cards, and mistaken identity [178] - The referees review the replay footage directly, and the initial decision is only changed if a "clear and obvious error" is shown [179] Modifications for Specific Categories - National FAs can modify organizational aspects of the Futsal Laws for youth, veterans', disability, and grassroots futsal [14] - Modifications may include pitch size, ball size and weight, goal dimensions, game duration, and limitations on goalkeeper throws [14] - FIFA encourages national FAs to inform them of any modifications used, as this information may help develop futsal globally [18]