Law I - The Field of Play

1. Dimensions. The field of play shall be rectangular, its length being not more than 130 yards nor less than 100 yards and its breadth not more than 100 yards nor less than 50 yards. (In international matches the length shall be not more than 120 yards nor less than 110 yards and the breadth not more than 80 yards nor less than 70 yards.) The length shall in all cases exceed the breadth.
2. Marking. The field of play shall be marked with distinctive lines, not more than 5 inches in width (not by a V-shaped rut) in accordance with the plan, the longer boundary lines being called the touch-lines and the shorter the goal-lines. A flag on a post not less than 5 ft. high and having a non-pointed top, shall be placed at each corner; a similar flag-post may be placed opposite the half-way line on each side of the field of play, not less than 1 yard outside the touchline. A halfway-line shall be marked out across the field of play. The center of the field of play shall be indicated by a suitable mark and a circle with a 10 yards radius shall be marked round it.
3. The Goal-Area. At each end of the field of play two lines shall be drawn at right-angles to the goal-line, 6 yards from each goal-post. These shall extend into the field of play for a distance of 6 yards and shall be joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal-line. Each of the spaces enclosed by these lines and the goal-line shall be called a goal-area.
4. The Penalty-Area. At each end of the field of play two lines shall be drawn at right-angles to the goal-line, 18 yards from each goal-post. These shall extend into the field of play for a distance of 18 yards and shall be joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal-line. Each of the spaces enclosed by these lines and the goal-line shall be called a penalty-area. A suitable mark shall be made within each penalty-area, 12 yards from the mid-point of the goal-line, measured along an un-drawn line at right-angles thereto. These shall be the penalty-kick marks. From each penalty-kick mark an arc of a circle, having a radius of 10 yards, shall be drawn outside the penalty-area.
5. The Corner-Area. From each corner-flag post a quarter circle, having a radius of 1 yard, shall be drawn inside the field of play.
6. The Goals. The goals shall be placed on the center of each goal-line and shall consist of two upright posts, equidistant from the corner-flags and 8 yards apart (inside measurement), joined by a horizontal cross-bar the lower edge of which shall be 8 ft. from the ground. For safety reasons, the goals, including those which are portable, must be anchored securely to the ground. The width and depth of the cross-bars shall not exceed 5 inches (12 cm). The goal-posts and the cross- bars shall have the same width.

   Nets may be attached to the posts, cross-bars and ground behind the goals. They should be appropriately supported and be so placed as to allow the goalkeeper ample room.

   Footnote: Goal nets. The use of nets made of hemp, jute or nylon is permitted. The nylon strings may, however, not be thinner than those made of hemp or jute.

Decisions of the International F.A. Board

1. In international matches the dimensions of the field of play shall be: maximum 110 x 75 metres; minimum 100 x 64 metres.

2. National Associations must adhere strictly to these dimensions. Each National Association organizing an international match must advise the visiting Association, before the match, of the place and the dimensions of the field of play.

3. The Board has approved this table of measurements for the Laws of the Game:

    
         130 yards       120 Metres
   
         120 yards       110
   
         110 yards       100
   
         100 yards        90
   
          80 yards        75
   
          70 yards        64
   
          50 yards        45
   
          18 yards        16.50
   
          10 yards        9.144
   
          12 yards         10.9728
   
           8 yards         7.32
   
           6 yards         5.50
   
           1 yard          0.9144
   
           8 feet          2.44
   
           5 feet          1.50
   
          28 inches        0.71
   
          27 inches        0.68
   
           9 inches        0.22
   
           5 inches        0.12
   
         3/4 inches        0.019
   
         1/2 inches        0.0127
   
         3/8 inches        0.010
   
         14 ounces       396 grams
   
         16 ounces       453 grams
   
         8.5  lb./sq.in.  600 gr/cm**2
   
         15.6 lb./sq.in. 1100 gr/cm**2
   
   

4. The goal-line shall be marked the same width as the depth of the goal-posts and the cross-bar, so that the goal-line and goal- posts will conform to the same interior and exterior edges.

5. The 6 yards (for the outline of the goal-area) and the 18 yards (for the outline of the penalty-area) which have to be measured along the goal-line, must start from the inner sides of the goal-posts.

6. The space within the inside areas of the field of play includes the width of the lines marking these areas.

7. All Associations shall provide standard equipment, particularly in international matches, when the Laws of the Game must be complied with in every respect and especially with regard to the size of the ball and other equipment which must conform to the regulations. All cases of failure to provide standard equipment must be reported to FIFA.

8. In a match played under the rules of a competition if the cross-bar becomes displaced or broken, play shall be stopped and the match abandoned unless the cross-bar has been repaired and replaced in position or a new one provided without such being a danger to the players. A rope is not considered to be a satisfactory substitute for a cross-bar.

9. National Associations may specify such maximum and minimum dimensions for the cross-bars and goal-posts, within the limits laid down in Law 1, as they consider appropriate.

10. Goal-posts and cross-bars must be made of wood, metal or other approved material as decided from time to time by the International F.A. Board. They may be square, rectangular, round, half-round or elliptical in shape.

11. Any kind of publicity is forbidden in connection with, or on, the field of play. In particular, no advertising material may be displayed at any level on nets, corner flags or goalposts, nor shall such appurtenances of the game have any extraneous equipment attached to them (cameras, microphones, etc.)

    The reproduction of a FIFA, Confederation, National Association, League, Club or any other logo on the field of play (turf) is also forbidden.

12. 'Curtain-raisers' to international matches should only be played following agreement on the day of the match, and taking into account the condition of the field of play, between representatives of the two Associations and the referee (of the international match).

13. National Associations, particularly in international matches, should
    • restrict the number of photographers around the field of play.
    • have a line (photographers' line) marked behind the goal-lines at least two metres from the corner flag going through a point situated at least 3.5 metres behind the intersection of the goal-line with the line marking the goal-area to a point situated at least six metres behind the goal-posts.
    • prohibit photographers from passing over these lines,
    • forbid the use of artificial lighting in the form of "flashlights".
14. A mark may be made off the field of play, 11 yards from the corner flag and at right angles to the goal-line, to help the referee ensure that this distance is observed when a corner kick is being taken.

Q & A - Law I

Important Advice to Referees.

Visit the ground in good time before a match to see that everything is in order.

• If through bad weather or negligence the state of the ground is such that it may endanger the players, refuse to sanction play.
• If the lines are not properly marked see that, if time allows, it is done before the match.
• Examine the goal-nets before every match, ensure that they are properly pegged down and that they are intact.