Law 2

Qualities and Measurements

The ball is:

	spherical
	made of leather or other suitable material
	of a circumference of not more than 70 cm (28 ins) and not less than 68 cm (27 ins)
	not more than 450 g (16 oz) in weight and not less than 410 g (14 oz) at the start of the match
	of a pressure equal to 0.6 – 1.1 atmosphere (600 – 1100 g/cm2) at sea level (8.5 lbs/sq in 15.6 lbs/sq in)

Replacement of a Defective Ball

If the ball bursts or becomes defective during the course of a match:

	the match is stopped
	the match is restarted by dropping the replacement ball at the place where the first ball became defective

If the ball bursts or becomes defective whilst not in play at a kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, free kick, penalty kick or throw-in:

the match is restarted accordingly

The ball may not be changed during the match without the authority of the referee.

Decisions of the International F.A. Board
	Decision 1
	In competition matches, only footballs which meet the minimum technical requirements stipulated in Law 2 are permitted for use. In FIFA competition matches, and in competition matches organised under the auspices of the confederations, acceptance of a football for use is conditional upon the football bearing one of the following three designations: the official “FIFA APPROVED” logo, or the official “FIFA INSPECTED” logo, or the reference “International Match ball Standard” Such a designation on a football indicates that it has been tested officially and found to be in compliance with specific technical requirements, different for each category and additional to the minimum specifications stipulated in Law 2. The list of the additional requirements specific to each of the respective categories must be approved by the International F.A. Board. The institutes conducting the tests are subject to the approval of FIFA. Member association competitions may require the use of balls bearing any one of these three designations. In all other matches the ball used must satisfy the requirements of Law 2.
	Decision 2
	In FIFA competition matches and in competition matches organised under the auspices of the confederations and member associations, no kind of commercial advertising on the ball is permitted, except for the emblem of the competition, the competition organiser and the authorised trademark of the manufacturer. The competition regulations may restrict the size and number of such markings.

Copyright © 2006 Grantham & District Referees' Association
Last modified: June 27, 2006
Authorised use of references and pictures granted by Fédération Internationale de Football Association [FIFA] - 11th January 2001 Copyright © 1994-2000