Nov 01 2008
Know The Game --- Football
Fairplay in football

Alongside the laws of the game, FIFA advocates a Fair Play programme. Based around a number of rules, typically involving abstract ideas, they are intended to inform footballers and spectators on proper behaviour on and off the field:

• Play fair on the field.
• Play to win but accept defeat properly.
• Observe the Laws of the Game.
• Respect everyone involved in the game.
• Promote football’s interests.
• Honour those who defend football’s reputation.
• Reject any corruption, drugs, racism, violence and other harmful vices.
• Help others to do exactly the same.
• Denounce any who discredits the integrity of football.
• Use football to make a better world.

Basics of football

At its core, football is a game with two teams of eleven players, played over the course of 90 minutes. This period is split into two 45-minute halves. The objective of the game is to score more ‘goals’ than the opposition. The term ‘goal’ refers to two areas either side of the pitch, each one defended by one of the teams. A ‘goal’ is scored by depositing the ball into the opponent’s area.

The Laws of the Game

Field of play

Football can be played on a natural or artificial (e.g. Astroturf) surface. However, the shape of the field must be rectangular, with the dimensions of 90-120 metres long by 45-90 metres wide. Notably, the guidelines for international matches are stricter (100-110 metres x 64-75 metres).

• Goal Area: Starts 5.5 metres from each goalpost and extends 5.5 metres out, with the two lines joining vertically
• Penalty Area: Starts 16.5 metres from each goalpost and extends 16.5 metres out, with the two lines joining vertically.
• Flagpost: Placed at each corner, with a quarter-circle on the field (1 metre in radius).
• Goals: 7.32 metre area between the posts, and 2.44 metres high. The posts cannot exceed 5 inches in width.

The ball

Naturally spherical, with a circumference of 27-28 inches.

Number of players

One of the eleven is classified as the goalkeeper and permitted to handle the ball in his team’s penalty area. The eleven players are supplemented by the option to bring on a maximum of three substitutes from a pre-decided list of three to seven players (the number of substitutes permitted is slightly higher for international friendly matches).
In order to bring on a substitute, the referee must first be informed and then there has to be a break in the play (for example, a free-kick or a throw-in). The substitute then comes on as a replacement for one of the 11 current players.