The FIFA Council recently approved a set of updates to the Beach Soccer Laws of the Game, incorporating adjustments specific to Beach Soccer while also aligning with recent modifications in football. This summary offers an overview of the key amendments introduced in the Beach Soccer Laws of the Game 2023-24. The changes are aimed at ensuring clarity and consistency in officiating the sport.
Outlined below is a comprehensive overview of the key amendments to the Beach Soccer Laws of the Game 2023-24, encompassing alterations in match outcome determination, disciplinary actions, handling offences, misconduct cautions, positioning of match officials, and various procedural changes. These updates aim to provide a clear and coherent framework for officiating Beach Soccer matches.
**Law 1 – The Pitch:**
– Pitch marking specifications, restart procedures, safety regulations, and stipulated advertising requirements.
**Law 2 – The Ball:**
– Protocol if the ball becomes defective after entering the goal, resulting in a scored goal.
**Law 3 – The Players:**
– Substitution procedures, handling players or substitutes sent off, and guidelines for refreshments during stoppages without throwing receptacles onto the pitch.
**Law 5 – The Referees:**
– Referee powers, duties, and advantage recommendations, including cautions or send-offs during intervals and after matches.
**Law 6 – The Other Match Officials:**
– Procedures for positioning and responsibilities of the third referee and reserve assistant referee (fourth referee) during penalty shoot-outs, ensuring fair play and record-keeping of kicks.
**Law 9 – The Ball in and Out of Play:**
– Specifications for the minimum height of ceilings in indoor pitches.
**Law 10 – Determining the Outcome of a Match:**
– Protocol if the goalkeeper throws the ball directly into the opponent’s goal, resulting in a goal clearance being awarded.
**Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct:**
– Goalkeepers handling restrictions inside and outside their penalty area, regulations against using the goal or a teammate for support, penalties for denying opponents a goal, and sanctions for mass confrontations.
**Law 14 – The Penalty Kick:**
– Protocols for goalkeeper behaviour and offences during penalty kicks.
**Law 16 – The Goal Clearance:**
– Procedure for handling offences by goalkeepers after taking a goal clearance, including disciplinary actions according to the Beach Soccer Laws of the Game.
**Practical Guidelines for Beach Soccer Referees and Other Match Officials:**
– Interpretation and recommendations for disciplinary actions concerning dangerous play and delaying the restart of play.
**Beach Soccer Terms and Referee Terms:**
– Definitions and explanations of specific terms related to beach soccer, including the role of the reserve assistant referee (fourth referee) in replacing other officials and their responsibilities.
These sections collectively cover rules, protocols, and guidelines for pitch markings, players, referees, penalty kicks, and the roles of various match officials in beach soccer.
For further clarification or inquiries, contact FIFA’s Senior Refereeing Manager (Dominic Chielens; refereeing@fifa.org). The full Beach Soccer Laws of the Game 2023-24 is readily accessible on FIFA.com.
