Football may appear simple, but its laws are often more complex than they seem, and every season, controversial decisions spark heated debates among players, coaches and supporters, many of whom misunderstand what the laws of the game actually say.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), football’s law-making body, regularly updates the rules to improve consistency and fairness. Yet many myths persist.
Here are 10 football rules that even experienced fans often get wrong.
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Offside is not about being ahead of the last defender
Perhaps the biggest misconception in football is that a player is offside simply because they are beyond the last defender.
In reality, a player is judged against the second-last opponent who is usually, but not always, the last outfield defender because the goalkeeper may not be the last player back. A player is also not automatically guilty of an offside offence just because they are in an offside position.
They must become involved in active play by receiving the ball, interfering with an opponent or gaining an advantage from their position.
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Not every handball is an offence
One of the most debated rules concerns handball. A ball striking a player’s hand or arm does not automatically result in a free-kick or penalty.
Referees consider factors such as whether the arm made the body unnaturally bigger, the movement of the hand towards the ball and the overall context. Accidental contact alone is often not enough to punish a player.
- A penalty does not always mean a yellow or red card
Many supporters believe every foul inside the penalty area should result in a booking. Disciplinary action depends on the nature of the offence. Some fouls involve only a penalty kick, while reckless challenges or serious foul play may also bring yellow or red cards.
- The goalkeeper can handle the ball only in certain situations
Goalkeepers cannot simply pick up every back-pass. If a teammate deliberately kicks the ball to their goalkeeper, the goalkeeper cannot handle it.
However, passes made with the head, chest or thigh are permitted, provided they are not part of a trick to circumvent the law.
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Advantage does not cancel the foul
When referees play advantage, some fans think the original offence disappears. It does not. The referee may still return to caution or send off the offending player at the next stoppage if disciplinary action is required.
- A player can be sent off before kick-off
Many fans believe red cards are possible only after the match begins. Under the Laws of the Game, players and team officials can be sanctioned before kick-off for certain misconduct, and a named player who is sent off before the match starts must be replaced by an eligible substitute.
- The ball does not need to leave the penalty area at goal kicks
This rule changed in 2019. Previously, the ball had to leave the penalty area before being played by a teammate. Now, the ball is in play once it is kicked and clearly moves, allowing teams to build from the back more quickly.
- Encroachment at penalties does not always mean a retake
During penalty kicks, players entering the penalty area early do not automatically cause the kick to be retaken.
The outcome depends on who encroached, whether it affected play and whether the goalkeeper or kicker committed another offence.
- Referees can show yellow and red cards to coaches
Cards are no longer reserved solely for players.
Managers and other team officials can receive yellow or red cards for irresponsible behaviour, dissent or misconduct in the technical area.
- VAR does not referee every decision
Video Assistant Referees (VAR) do not review every incident during a match. It is limited to four categories:
- Goals and offences leading to goals.
- Penalty decisions.
- Direct red-card incidents.
- Mistaken identity in disciplinary sanctions.
However, routine fouls, throw-ins and corner kicks generally remain the referee’s responsibility unless they are directly linked to one of those reviewable situations.
Credit: sportingtribune.com
