Below is a summary of all the NEW law changes for all players, coaches and administrators effective immediately.  It is important that all clubs and coaches understand the new law changes and it is proposed that in early 2017 a seminar is held with all clubs and their coaches for an overview of the changes.    

For your information, here is summary of the changes:

1.    Kick off

At the kick-off, the ball can be kicked in any direction.

2.       Denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) 

This is the most important change. FIFA have removed the triple punishment - penalty kick, red card
and one match suspension.

If a player denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity in the penalty area and the referee awards a penalty kick and the foul was an attempt to play the ball or challenge an opponent for the ball, the referee will give a yellow card instead of a red card. If the offence is handball, holding, pushing or pulling (i.e. not a football challenge), the player will still be sent off.

3.       Treating injuries on the field 

If a player is injured by a foul that results in a yellow or red card to the opponent, the injured player
may be quickly treated on the pitch without the need to leave the field of play.

4.       Penalty kicks 

If the penalty taker illegally feints once his run up is completed, the player will be cautioned. Likewise, if the goalkeeper moves off his line before the kick is taken and a goal is not scored, the goalkeeper is cautioned and the kick is retaken.

5.       Infringements by substitutes / team officials.

If play is stopped due to interference from a team official or a substitute, a direct free kick will be
awarded to the opposition.

6.       Offside

The indirect free kick is taken from where the offence occurred, not where the player was when the ball was played to him by a teammate. This means that if a striker runs back into his own half from an offside position and interferes with play, the free kick will be taken from that position (i.e. in his defensive half).

7.       Quick free kick 

If a player takes a free kick quickly and an opponent who is less than 10 yards from the ball intercepts it, the referee allows play to continue. However, an opponent who deliberately prevents a free kick being taken quickly must be cautioned for delaying the restart.

8.       Fouls off the field 

A foul off the field of play will be penalised with a direct free kick on the boundary line nearest to
where the foul occurred (penalty kick if in offender's penalty area).

In addition to the Law changes, FFA is also addressing the issue of players surrounding or crowding a referee in a show of dissent. FFA believes this issue has the potential to impact the image of the game. The English Premier League have announced a similar policy and FFA have aligned much of our instructions with theirs i.e. When three or more players surround a match official in an act of dissent, the referee will caution at least one of the players.