FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game

Periods of play

The match lasts two equal periods of 20 minutes, unless otherwise mutually agreed between the referee and the two teams. Any agreement to alter the duration of the periods of play must be made before the start of play and must comply with the competition rules.

Ending the periods of play

The timekeeper indicates the end of each period with the acoustic signal or whistle. After hearing the timekeeper’s whistle or acoustic signal, one of the referees announces the end of the period or match with his whistle, bearing in mind the following:

• if a kick from the second penalty mark or direct free kick, beginning with the sixth accumulated foul, must be taken or retaken, the period in question is extended until the kick has been taken
• if a penalty kick has to be taken or retaken, the period in question is extended until the kick has been taken

If the ball has been played towards one of the goals, the referees must wait for the kick to end before the timekeeper may sound the whistle or acoustic signal. The period ends when:

• the ball goes directly into the goal and a goal is scored
• the ball leaves the boundaries of the pitch
• the ball touches the goalkeeper or another player in the defending team, the goalposts, crossbar or ground, crosses the goal line and a goal is scored
• the defending goalkeeper or another player in the defending team touches the ball or it rebounds from the goalposts or crossbar and does not cross the goal line
• the ball touches any player in the team that played the ball, except if an indirect free kick was taken and the ball was heading towards the opponent’s goal after being touched by the second player
• no infringement has been committed that is sanctioned with a direct free kick, an indirect free kick or a penalty kick, and a direct free kick, indirect free kick or penalty kick does not have to be retaken

If an infringement has been committed during this period that is sanctioned with a direct free kick after the fi fth accumulated foul of one of the teams, or sanctioned with a penalty kick, the period ends when:

• the ball is not kicked directly at the goal
• the ball goes directly into the goal and a goal is scored
• the ball leaves the boundaries of the pitch
• the ball hits one or both posts, the crossbar, the goalkeeper or another player in the defending team and a goal is scored
• the ball hits one or both posts, the crossbar, the goalkeeper or another player in the defending team and a goal is not scored
• another infringement sanctioned with a direct free kick, indirect free kick or penalty kick is not committed

If during this period an infringement sanctioned with a direct free kick is committed before the sixth accumulated foul of one of the teams, the period ends when:

• the ball is not kicked directly at the goal
• the ball goes directly into the goal and a goal is scored
• the ball leaves the boundaries of the pitch
• the ball hits one or both posts, the crossbar, the goalkeeper or another player in the defending team and a goal is scored
• the ball hits one or both posts, the crossbar, the goalkeeper or another player in the defending team and a goal is not scored
• the ball touches a player in the team taking the kick
• another infringement sanctioned with a direct free kick, indirect free kick or penalty kick is not committed

If an infringement sanctioned with an indirect free kick is committed during this period, the period ends when:

• the ball goes directly into the goal without being touched by another player during its trajectory or touching one or both of the posts or the cross bar, in which case the goal will not be allowed
• the ball leaves the boundaries of the pitch
• the ball hits one or both posts or the crossbar after touching the goalkeeper or another player in the defending or attacking team, not the player taking the kick, and a goal is scored
• the ball hits one or both posts or the crossbar after touching the goalkeeper or another player in the defending or attacking team, not the player taking the kick, and a goal is not scored
• another infringement sanctioned with a direct free kick, indirect free kick or penalty kick is not committed

Time-out

The teams are entitled to a one-minute time-out in each period. The following conditions apply:

• the team officials are authorised to request the third referee, or the timekeeper if there is no third referee, for a one-minute time-out using the document provided
• the timekeeper grants the time-out when the team that has requested it is in possession of the ball and the ball is out of play, using a different whistle or acoustic signal from the ones used by the referees
• during the time-out, the players may remain on or off the pitch.
• In order to have a drink, the players must leave the pitch
• during the time-out, the substitutes must stay off the pitch
• during the time-out, officials are not allowed to give instructions on the pitch
• substitutions may only be made after the acoustic signal or whistle has sounded to indicate the end of the time-out
• a team that does not request a time-out in the first half of the match is only entitled to one time-out during the second half
• if there is neither a third referee nor a timekeeper, a team official may request the referees for a time-out
• there are no time-outs during extra time, if played      

Half-time interval

Players are entitled to an interval at half-time. The half-time interval must not exceed 15 minutes. Competition rules must state the duration of the half-time interval. The duration of the half-time interval may be altered only with the consent of the referee.

Abandoned match

An abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules provide otherwise.