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Soccer Law 3
The Number of Players

Players

A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than seven players.

Official Competition

Up to a maximum of three substitutes may be used in any match played in an official competition organized under the auspices of FIFA, the confederations or the member associations.

The rules of the competition must state how many substitutes may be nominated, from three up to a maximum of seven.

Other Matches

In national A team matches, up to a maximum of six substitutes may be used.

In all other matches, a greater number of substitutes may be used provided that:

• the teams concerned reach agreement on a maximum number;
• the referee is informed before the match.

If the referee is not informed, or if no agreement is reached before the match, no more than six substitutes are allowed.

All Matches

In all matches, the names of the substitutes must be given to the referee prior to the start of the match. Substitutes not so named may not take part in the match.

Substitution Procedure

To replace a player by a substitute, the following conditions must be observed:

the referee is informed before any proposed substitution is made;

a substitute only enters the field of play after the player being replaced has left and after receiving a signal from the referee;

a substitute only enters the field of play at the halfway line and during a stoppage in the match;

a substitution is completed when a substitute enters the field of play;

from that moment, the substitute becomes a player and the player he has replaced ceases to be a player;

a player who has been replaced takes no further part in the match;

all substitutes are subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referee, whether called upon to play or not.

Changing the Goalkeeper

Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that:

the referee is informed before the change is made;

the change is made during a stoppage in the match.

Infringements/Sanctions

If a substitute enters the field of play without the referee's permission:

• play is stopped;
• the substitute is cautioned, shown the yellow card and required to leave the field of play;
• play is restarted with an indirect free kick at the place the ball was located when play was stopped.

If a player changes places with the goalkeeper without the referee's permission before the change is made:

• play continues;
• the players concerned are cautioned and shown the yellow card when the ball is next out of play.

For any other infringements of this Law:

• the players concerned are cautioned and shown the yellow card.

Restart of Play

If play is stopped by the referee to administer a caution:

the match is restarted by an indirect free kick, to be taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the ball was located when play was stopped.

Players and Substitutes Sent Off

A player who has been sent off before the kick-off may be replaced only by one of the named substitutes.

A named substitute who has been sent off, either before the kick-off or after play has started, may not be replaced.

Decisions of The International F.A. Board

Decision 1
Subject to the overriding conditions of Law 3, the minimum number of players in a team is left to the discretion of member associations. The Board is of the opinion, however, that a match should not continue if there are fewer than seven players in either team.

Decision 2
A team official may convey tactical instructions to the players during the match and he must return to his position after giving these instructions. All officials must remain within the confines of the technical area, where such an area is provided, and they must behave in a responsible manner.

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