2019-20 Laws of the Game Changes

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) released several key changes to the Laws of the Game for the 2019-20 season. In Maryland, these changes are in effect beginning with the Fall 2019 season.

These changes were made to help encourage a faster pace of play with less down time, clarified what is/is not handling, and introduced the ability for referees to give a card to bench personnel, and better maintain the spirit of the game.

Here are some resources (inc. videos below) that will help everyone better understand the law changes:

We want to thank Colorado Soccer Association and their Director of Referees Esse Baharmast (former MLS, Olympic and World Cup Official, and current FIFA Referee Instructor) for their video series highlighting some of the biggest changes you'll see this year with descriptions and examples below:


Law 3: The Players - Substitutions	Law 5: The Referee - Team Official Cards	Law 5: The Referee - Injured Penalty Kick Takers

Law 8: Start/Restart of Play - Drop Ball	Law 8: Start/Restart of Play - Coin Toss	Law 9: Ball In/Out of Play - Ball hits the referee

Law 10: Outcome of Match - GK scoring	Law 12: Fouls/Misconduct - Handling the ball	Law 12: Fouls/Misconduct - Delayed Cards


Law 13: Free Kicks - Inside the penalty area	Law 13: Free Kicks - Attackers 1M from the wall	Law 14: Penalty Kick - GK conduct


Law 15: Throw In - 2M distance from line	Law 16: Goal Kick - Ball leaving the penalty area