Laws of the Game

FIFA Laws of the Game

FIFA FAIR PLAY For the Good of the Game, always...

1. Play to win.
2. Play fair.
3. Observe the Laws of the Game.
4. Respect opponents, team-mates, referees, officials and spectators.
5. Accept defeat with dignity.
6. Promote the interests of football.
7. Reject corruption, drugs, racism, violence and other dangers.
8. Help others to resist corrupting pressures.
9. Denounce those who attempt to discredit our sport.
10. Honour those who defend football’s good reputation.

PLAYERS Good Sport is about Positive Attitude. You’ve got the right attitude.

• Play by the rules.
• Never argue with an official.
• Work hard to do your best at all times.
• Turn up to practice.
• Be a good sport and recognise good players and good plays by all involved.
• Remember to thank your coach, the officials, the opposition and supporters.
• Help others in your team when you can.
• Avoid putting people down or bullying them.
• Always give it heaps and don’t get ugly.

OFFICIALS Good Sport is about Positive Attitude. You can set the right tone and help make the game a success.

• Control the game in a fair and positive manner.
• Be consistent and fair in your decisions.
• Modify your approach to suit the participants’ level of ability.
• Help players understand the rules by explaining decisions where appropriate.
• Do what you can to make sure everyone enjoys the game, including yourself.
• Encourage fair play and do not tolerate foul play of any kind. Always be firm and fair.

COACHES Good Sport Is about Positive Attitude. As a coach you set the standard.

• Set personal behaviour standards for yourself, and those you coach, to follow.
• Give each player the same amount of attention and time.
• Provide every player with the same opportunities to play the game.
• Never argue with the referee, or make excuses for losing and never cheat.
• Always be positive. Never shout at or ridicule players.
• Respect players’ efforts regardless of whether you have won or lost.
• Encourage respect for the opposition and officials.
• Keep winning and losing in perspective with personal challenge and enjoyment.

SUPPORTERS Good Sport is about Positive Attitude. You can set the right tone and help make the game a success.

• Respect that people are involved in sport for fun and enjoyment. 
• Support good play and applaud good performance from all competitors. 
• Attempt to understand the rules of the game. 
• Learn the difference between supportive and abusive comments and rule out the negativity.
• Accept the decisions of officials and coaches.
• Display self-control on the sideline. Always be positive. Never shout at or ridicule players/officials.
• Show your appreciation to people who volunteer their time to make sport happen.
• Remember that we are all capable of making mistakes.

PARENTS / CAREGIVERS Good Sport is about Positive Attitude. You can set the right tone and help make the game a success.

• Encourage your child, and other people’s children, in their efforts in sport.
• Insist that your child plays within the rules and by the principles of Fair Play.
• Respect your child’s efforts the same, regardless of whether she/he has won or lost.
• Display self-control on the sideline. Always be positive. Never shout at or ridicule players/officials.
• Watch your child play and let him/her enjoy the game.
• Show your appreciation to people who volunteer their time so your child can play.
• Remember your child plays sport for his/her reasons, not yours.
• Be a positive role model for your child.
• Never place undue pressure on your child to play or perform
• Make an effort to understand the rules of the game. 

Click here to view the IFAB web site, Laws of the Game.