This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
Uncovering the Hidden Rules of Football ¶
Published on July 16, 2020, by Nyakundi Report
Football, or soccer as it's known in some parts of the world, is a game of rules and regulations. While most fans are familiar with the basic rules, there are some lesser-known rules that even the most avid fans may not be aware of.
Here are 10 hidden rules in football that will surprise even the most knowledgeable fans:
1. No Goal if Ball is Damaged ¶
According to FIFA rules, a goal cannot be scored if the ball is damaged. This means that if a ball is punctured or has a significant hole in it, it cannot be used to score a goal.
There have been instances where a goal has been scored with a damaged ball, but the referee has not had a clear view of the ball, and the goal has been allowed to stand.
2. You Can Still Get Carded for Illegal Celebration Even if Goal is Disallowed ¶
With the introduction of VAR, goals are often disallowed, but players can still get carded for illegal celebrations. This means that even if a goal is disallowed, players can still be booked for taking off their shirt or jumping into the crowd.
3. You Can Receive a Red Card Before the Match Starts ¶
Players can be sent off before the match starts for breaching the rules. This can happen if a player is involved in a pre-match altercation or if they are found guilty of misconduct prior to the game.
One notable example is Patrice Evra, who was sent off before a game in 2017 for kicking at a fan in anger.
4. Penalty Takers in a Shootout Should be Equal for Both Teams ¶
In the event of a penalty shootout, the teams should have an equal number of players taking penalties. This means that if one team has fewer players, the other team may need to agree to cut off some of their players to make the shootout fair.
5. No Own-Goals from Throw-Ins and Freekicks ¶
Own-goals from throw-ins and freekicks are not allowed. If a player throws the ball into their own net from a throw-in, the goal will not count. Similarly, if a player kicks the ball into their own net from a freekick, a corner will be given to the opposing team.
6. A Match Can Start with a Minimum of Seven Players ¶
Teams can start a match with as few as seven players, including the goalkeeper. This means that if a team is short of players, they can still start the match if they have at least seven players on the pitch.
7. The 1-Metre Rule in Freekicks ¶
From June 2019, the 1-metre rule in freekicks has been in place. This means that attackers are not allowed to stand within one metre of the wall when a freekick is taken. If they do, the team will be penalized with an indirect freekick.
8. The 6-Second Rule ¶
Goalkeepers are only allowed to hold the ball for six seconds after making a save. If they hold the ball for longer than six seconds, they can be booked by the referee for time-wasting.
9. Goalkeepers are Not Allowed to Shake the Posts in Penalty Situations ¶
Goalkeepers are not allowed to kick at or swing at the goalposts in a penalty situation. This means that they cannot try to intimidate the penalty taker by shaking the posts.
10. The Team that Wins the Coin Toss Can Choose Which Side to Attack First ¶
When the coin toss is made, the winning team can choose which side to attack first. This means that they can also decide which team starts the match.
