A Guideline for Captains and Managers In all matches, the names of the substitutes must be given to the referee prior to the start of the match. Any substitute whose name is not given to the referee at this time may not take part in the match. Where the rules of the competition allow repeat substitutions, the rules requiring the naming of players and substitutes must be complied with otherwise repeat substitutions are not allowed. If the rules of the competition state that all of the players and substitutes must be named before kick-off and a team begins a match with fewer than eleven players, only the players named in the starting line-up may complete the eleven upon their arrival. Substitution procedure To replace a player with a substitute the following conditions must be observed: • The referee must be informed before any proposed substitution is made; • When (and only when) the substitute is ready to enter the field of play, inform the referee at a moment when there is a stoppage in play. Do not shout at or distract the referee in the minutes before this; • Inform the referee of the player who is leaving the field of play (he does not have to leave at the half-way line); • The substitute waits until this player has left the field of play and then obtains the referee’s permission to enter, doing so at the half-way line. He identifies himself to the referee who may inspect his footwear and for jewellery. Then (and only then) he joins his colleagues on the field of play; • The substitution is completed when a substitute enters the field of play; • The substituted player takes no further part in the match except where the rules of the competition allow repeat substitutions in which case, after the substitution is completed, the substituted player is treated as a named substitute; • All substitutes are subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referee, whether called upon to play or not.
Note 1 After the half-time interval or before extra time a substitute should not enter the field of play with the rest of the players. The substitute must wait on the half-way line for the substitution procedure to take place.
Note 2 The referee has no role to play in advising teams of how many minutes are left to play so they may make a substitution. Both substitutes and substituted players must exercise control over their behaviour towards match officials and opponents throughout the game, the half-time interval and after the final whistle. Substitutes and substituted players should wear clothing that clearly distinguishes them from their own team and the opposition.
Infringements and Sanctions Players and Managers should be aware that if a substitute enters the field of play without the referee’s permission, the referee must stop play (although not immediately if the substitute does not interfere with play) and caution the substitute for unsporting behaviour.
Players and Substitutes Sent-off A player who has been sent-off before the kick-off may be replaced only by one of the named substitutes. A named substitute who has been sent-off, either before the kick-off or after play has started, may not be replaced
