Circular 1906_Beach Soccer Laws of the Game 2024-25

Industry Overview - The FIFA Council has approved several updates to the Beach Soccer Laws of the Game for the 2024-25 season, aligning them with recent modifications in football [1] - The main amendments and the complete Beach Soccer Laws of the Game 2024-25 are accessible on FIFA's official website [2] Key Amendments to Beach Soccer Laws Law 3 - The Players - If a substitute or their team commits another offence, play is restarted based on the restart associated with that offence [3] - Each team must have a captain identified with an armband, responsible for the team's behavior [3] Law 4 - The Players' Equipment - Compulsory equipment includes a shirt with sleeves, shorts, and an armband for the captain [3] - Footwear is not permitted, and protective equipment like gloves and headgear is allowed [3] Law 5 - The Referees - Referees must stop play if a player is seriously injured and ensure the player is removed from the pitch [4] - The time review system (TRS) is used to verify if the ball entered the goal before the acoustic signal at the end of a period [4] Law 7 - The Duration of the Match - Each period ends when the stipulated playing time has elapsed, signaled by an acoustic signal [6] - If no timekeeper is present or the signal fails, the referees signal the end of the period with their whistle [6] Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play - Offences during kick-off, such as a double touch by the kicker, result in a free kick to the defending team [8] - If both teams commit offences simultaneously, the kick-off is retaken, and both players are cautioned [8] Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct - A player is sent off for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity through a deliberate handball [11] - A player is cautioned for stopping a promising attack by committing a deliberate handball offence [11] Law 14 - The Penalty Kick - If an attacking-team player encroaches during a penalty kick, the penalty is retaken if the goal is scored [19] - If the goalkeeper commits an offence, the penalty is retaken, and the goalkeeper is warned [19] Practical Guidelines for Referees - Referees must position themselves 2m from the goal during penalty shoot-outs to check if the ball crosses the goal line [20] - The second referee stands 3m from the imaginary penalty mark to ensure the ball and goalkeeper are correctly positioned [20] Video Support Protocol - Video support (VS) can be used to review decisions related to goals, penalties, free kicks, direct red cards, and mistaken identity [25] - VS can also be used to verify if the ball entered the goal before the acoustic signal at the end of a period [25] Summary of Key Changes - The amendments aim to simplify the game and align beach soccer laws with football and futsal [59] - Referees are expected to make decisions within the "spirit" of the game, promoting fairness and safety [60]