FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game

The authority of the referees

Each match is controlled by two referees, the referee and the second referee, who have full authority to enforce the Futsal Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which they have been appointed.

Powers and duties

The referees:

• enforce the Futsal Laws of the Game
• control the match in cooperation with the assistant referees, where applicable
• ensure that any ball used meets the requirements of Law 2
• ensure that the players' equipment meets the requirements of Law 4
• keep a record of the match
• stop the match, at their discretion, for any infringements of the Futsal Laws of the Game
• stop the match because of outside interference of any kind
• stop the match if, in their opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensure that he is removed from the pitch. An injured player may only return to the pitch after the match has restarted
• allow play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in their opinion, only slightly injured
• ensure that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the pitch. The player may only return on receiving a signal from the referees, who must be satisfied, either directly or through the third referee, that the bleeding has stopped
• allow play to continue when the team against which an offence has been committed stands to benefit from such an advantage and penalise the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time
• punish the more serious offence when a player commits more than one offence at the same time
• punish the more serious misconduct when a player commits more than one act of misconduct at the same time
• take disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable and sending-off offences. They are not obliged to take this action immediately but must do so when the ball next goes out of play
• take action against team officials who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and may, at their discretion, expel them from the technical area and the surrounds of the pitch
• ensure that no unauthorised persons enter the pitch
• indicate the restart of the match after it has been stopped
• give the signals described in the section of the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game entitled "Referee and Assistant Referee Signals" 
• position themselves on the pitch as described in the section of the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game entitled "Positioning with ball in play", which is part of the "Interpretation of the Futsal Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees" (Law 5 - The Referees), when they are required to do so
• provide the appropriate authorities with a match report, which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players and/or team officials and any other incidents that occurred before, during or after the match

The referee:

• acts as timekeeper and third referee in the event that the assistant referees are not present
• suspends or abandons the match, at his discretion, for any infringements of the Futsal Laws of the Game
• suspends or abandons the match because of outside interference of any kind

The second referee:

• replaces the referee in the event that he becomes injured or indisposed   

Decisions of the referees

The decisions of the referees regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final.

The referees may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at their discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that they have not restarted play or terminated the match.

The decisions of the referee prevail over those of the second referee if both signal an infringement and there is disagreement between them.

In the event of undue interference or improper conduct, the referee will relieve the second referee or the assistant referees of their duties, arrange for them to be substituted and make a report to the appropriate authorities.

Responsibilities of the referees

The referees (or where applicable, an assistant referee) are not held liable for:

• any kind of injury suffered by a player, official or spectator
• any damage to property of any kind
• any other loss suffered by any individual, club, company, association or other body, which is due or which may be due to any decision that they may take under the terms of the Futsal Laws of the Game or in respect of the normal procedures required to hold, play and control a match

Such decisions may include:

• a decision that the condition of the pitch or its surrounds or that the weather conditions are such as to allow or not to allow a match to take place
• a decision to abandon a match for whatever reason
• a decision as to the suitability of the pitch equipment and ball used during a match
• a decision to stop or not to stop a match due to spectator interference or any problem in spectator areas
• a decision to stop or not to stop play to allow an injured player to be removed from the pitch for treatment
• a decision to require an injured player to be removed from the pitch for treatment
• a decision to allow or not to allow a player to wear certain apparel or equipment
• a decision (where they have the authority) to allow or not to allow any persons (including team or venue officials, security officers, photographers or other media representatives) to be present in the vicinity of the pitch
• any other decision that they may take in accordance with the Futsal Laws of the Game or in conformity with their duties under the terms of FIFA, confederation, member association or league rules or regulations under which the match is played

International matches

A second referee is mandatory for international matches. Reserve assistant referee In tournaments or competitions where a reserve assistant referee is appointed, his role and duties must be in accordance with the guidelines contained in the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game.