The FIFA Laws of the Game have been updated for 2017.

Canada Soccer has distributed the information to the provinces and the Ontario Soccer Association will be requiring all match officials complete online modules as part of the 2017 Registration Process.

Players and coaches are encouraged to read the Laws of the Game so that our community is not caught unaware of the changes in 2017.

There are many new changes to the Laws of the Game in 2017. In particular we would like to draw your attention to the following:

Law 4: The Players Equipment
• Any tape or other material on/covering socks must be same color as the sock

Law 5: The Referee
• Player injured by Red Card/Yellow Card foul can be quickly assessed/treated and stay on field

Law 8: The Start and Restart of Play
• All restarts are now included (previously only kick‐off and dropped ball were mentioned)
• Ball must clearly move to be in play for all kicked restarts

Law 11: Offside
• Offside Free kick is always taken where the offside offense occurs (even in own half)

Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct
• Attempted violent conduct is a Red Card, even if no contact
• Striking on head/face when not challenging an opponent is a Red Card unless the contact is minimal/negligible
• Denying obvious goal scoring opportunity could result in yellow or red card, dependant on where offence occurred
• Fouls that occur off the field are treated as part of normal play

For further questions please contact Nicky Pearson.