The 2002 edition of the Laws of the Game can be accessed here

Questions and Answers on the Laws of the Game are available here

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Circular no. 807

Zurich, 7th May 2002

GS/ gcu

Amendments to the Laws of the Game 2002

Dear Madam/Sir,

The 116th Annual General Meeting of the International Football Association Board took place in Zermatt Switzerland on 16th March 2002. The amendments to the Laws of the Game and the various instructions and directives are Listed below.

AMENDMENTS TO THE LAWS OF THE GAME AND DECISIONS OF THE BOARD

LAW 4 - THE PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT

New Decision of the International F.A. Board

Decision 1

• Advertising is permitted only on the players' jerseys. It may not be worn on shorts, stockings or footwear.

• Players must not reveal undershirts, which contain slogans or advertising.

A player removing his jersey to reveal slogans or advertising will be sanctioned by the competition organiser.

• Jerseys must have sleeves.

LAW 5 - THE REFEREE

New text

Stops the match if, in his opinion, a player Is seriously injured and ensures that he is removed from the field of play. An injured player may only return to the field of play after the match has restarted.

Reason:

This clarifies the procedure to be followed when a player returns to the field of play following injury.

Law 12 – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

New Text

Indirect Free Kick

An Indirect free kick Is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following four offences:

Reason:

This is a minor alteration to the text to recognise that there are now four offences instead of five as before

INFORMATION, INSTRUCTIONS AND DIRECTIVES

SIMULATION

There was unanimous support for a high profile publicity campaign to be organised by FIFA against players guilty of this offence. Referees are instructed to take strong action against simulation and players guilty of simulation must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour.

PLAYERS DELAYING THE RESTART OF PLAY

Serious concern was expressed at the number of players who delay the restart of play. The Laws of the Game are very clear on this matter and The Board insists that referees must apply them.

TEMPORARY EXPULSIONS

The Board strongly supported FIFA's concern that some national associations continue to use temporary expulsions in lower leagues. The Board confirmed in the strongest terms that this procedure must cease immediately otherwise disciplinary sanctions will be applied against the offending federation.

CELEBRATION OF A GOAL

The Board expressed its concern at the common practice of players removing their shirts while celebrating a goal to reveal slogans and advertising.

It was agreed that when time wasting occurred referees would continue to take actions in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

It was also agreed that when slogans and advertising were displayed on an undershirt, the matter could be dealt with by the disciplinary procedures of the competition.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS TO REFEREES, ASSISTANT REFEREES AND FOURTH OFFICIALS

The Board approved that the Additional Instructions for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials would now be printed in the Laws of the Game book.

ARTIFICIAL SURFACES

The Board endorsed its support at last year's meeting for the FIFA Quality Concept for Artificial Surfaces.

The amendments to the Laws of the Game take effect from 1st July 2002 and instructions and directives are introduced with immediate effect.

We thank you for your attention to the foregoing.

Yours faithfully,

FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIA11ON

Michel- Zen-Ruffinen

General. Secretary

CC: FIFA Executive Committee

FIFA referees' Committee

FIFA referees and assistant referees

FIFA referee instructors

Confederations