The Official Soccer Site - Laws of the Game
Laws of the Game
for Officials, Referees, Players, and Fans
PREFACE
Modifications
Subject to the agreement of the national association concerned and provided
the principles of these Laws are maintained, the Laws may be modified in their
application for matches for players of under 16 years of age, for women
footballers, for veteran footballers (over 35 years) and for players with disabilities..
Any or all of the following modifications are permissible:
- size of the field of play
- size, weight and material of the ball
- width between the goalposts and height of the crossbar from the
ground
- the duration of the periods of play
- substitutions
Further modifications are only allowed with the consent of the International
Football Association Board.
Male and Female
References to the male gender in the Laws of the Game in respect of referees,
assistant referees, players and officials are for simplification and apply to both
males and females.