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According to Law 3, a match may not continue if either team has fewer than seven players; however, this principle does NOT apply where this is temporary because:
➡️ a player is temporarily dismissed
➡️ a substitute’s entry is delayed for one minute
➡️ a player is off the field of play for/after treatment
In all these cases, play continues and the team plays with fewer than seven players.
Find out more:
Law 3.1: bit.ly/Number_Players
Guidelines for temporary dismissals: bit.ly/Sin_bins
Time-limited substitution protocol: bit.ly/Ten-second_sub…
Off-field treatment and assessment protocol: bit.ly/Injuries_Treat…
Circular 33 (May 2026): downloads.theifab.com/downloads/circ…
➡️ a player is temporarily dismissed
➡️ a substitute’s entry is delayed for one minute
➡️ a player is off the field of play for/after treatment
In all these cases, play continues and the team plays with fewer than seven players.
Find out more:
Law 3.1: bit.ly/Number_Players
Guidelines for temporary dismissals: bit.ly/Sin_bins
Time-limited substitution protocol: bit.ly/Ten-second_sub…
Off-field treatment and assessment protocol: bit.ly/Injuries_Treat…
Circular 33 (May 2026): downloads.theifab.com/downloads/circ…
LAW CHANGES 2026/27
When the ball is in play, a player kicks the ball out for a throw-in because their team-mate is laying on the ground, holding their leg, and seems to be injured.
What is the correct procedure?
➡️ bit.ly/Referee_Powers
➡️ bit.ly/Injuries_Treat…
Download the official Laws of the Game app: bit.ly/Laws_App_
When the ball is in play, a player kicks the ball out for a throw-in because their team-mate is laying on the ground, holding their leg, and seems to be injured.
What is the correct procedure?
➡️ bit.ly/Referee_Powers
➡️ bit.ly/Injuries_Treat…
Download the official Laws of the Game app: bit.ly/Laws_App_
After a substitution has been signalled, the player concerned refuses to be substituted and does not leave the field of play.
What should the #referee do?
bit.ly/_Substitutions
Download the official Laws of the Game app:
➡️ bit.ly/LawsAppAndroid
➡️ bit.ly/LawsApp_iOS
What should the #referee do?
bit.ly/_Substitutions
Download the official Laws of the Game app:
➡️ bit.ly/LawsAppAndroid
➡️ bit.ly/LawsApp_iOS
If the #referee stops play because a player has an actual or suspected head injury, the player:
➡️ may be assessed and treated on the field of play
➡️ must then leave the field of play
The following procedure will depend on the exact circumstances:
1. Play is stopped quickly due to a potential head injury, but it is immediately clear that the injury is not severe, and no assessment/requirement is required.
As the suspected head injury caused the game to be stopped, the player must still leave the field of play; however, competition organisers may decide that the player may be given permission to return by the referee after play restarts without having to wait one minute off the field of play.
2. Play is stopped for a head injury, and a player receives assessment/treatment on the field of play.
In this case, the player is required to leave the field of play for one minute. This period is important to medically evaluate whether it is safe for the player to continue playing.
3. Play is stopped for a head injury, and a player is unable to continue, so their team decides to make a substitution (e.g. when the player suffers an actual or suspected concussion).
The injured player may be replaced by a normal substitute or a concussion substitute, where the use of additional permanent concussion substitutions is allowed by the competition organiser (in accordance with The IFAB’s protocol).
Find out more:
➡️ Law 5.3: bit.ly/Referee_Powers
➡️ Off-field treatment and assessment protocol: bit.ly/Injuries_Treat…
➡️ Additional permanent concussion substitutions protocol: bit.ly/ConcussionSubs…
➡️ Circular 34 (July 2026): downloads.theifab.com/downloads/circ…
➡️ may be assessed and treated on the field of play
➡️ must then leave the field of play
The following procedure will depend on the exact circumstances:
1. Play is stopped quickly due to a potential head injury, but it is immediately clear that the injury is not severe, and no assessment/requirement is required.
As the suspected head injury caused the game to be stopped, the player must still leave the field of play; however, competition organisers may decide that the player may be given permission to return by the referee after play restarts without having to wait one minute off the field of play.
2. Play is stopped for a head injury, and a player receives assessment/treatment on the field of play.
In this case, the player is required to leave the field of play for one minute. This period is important to medically evaluate whether it is safe for the player to continue playing.
3. Play is stopped for a head injury, and a player is unable to continue, so their team decides to make a substitution (e.g. when the player suffers an actual or suspected concussion).
The injured player may be replaced by a normal substitute or a concussion substitute, where the use of additional permanent concussion substitutions is allowed by the competition organiser (in accordance with The IFAB’s protocol).
Find out more:
➡️ Law 5.3: bit.ly/Referee_Powers
➡️ Off-field treatment and assessment protocol: bit.ly/Injuries_Treat…
➡️ Additional permanent concussion substitutions protocol: bit.ly/ConcussionSubs…
➡️ Circular 34 (July 2026): downloads.theifab.com/downloads/circ…
