We Are Champions

Introduction

Volume 1 Chapter 1 Competition Venue

Dimensions
The playing field must be rectangular, with the length of the sidelines being longer than the length of the goal lines.
Length: Minimum 90 meters (100 yards)
Maximum 120 meters (130 yards)
Width: Minimum 45 meters (50 yards)
Maximum 90 meters (100 yards)
International Matches
Length: Minimum 100 meters (110 yards)
Maximum 110 meters (120 yards)
Width: Minimum 64 meters (70 yards)
Maximum 75 meters (80 yards)
Field Markings
The playing field is marked with lines, which serve as boundary lines for various areas within the field and should be included within those areas.
The two longer boundary lines are called sidelines, and the two shorter lines are called goal lines.
All lines must not exceed 12 centimeters (5 inches) in width.
The playing field is divided into two halves by the center line.
At the midpoint of the center line, a center mark is made, and a circle with a radius of 9.15 meters (10 yards) is drawn around it.
Goal Area
The goal area is located at both ends of the field, defined as follows:
From the inside of each goal post, draw two lines perpendicular to the goal line, starting 5.5 meters (6 yards) away. These lines extend into the playing field for 5.5 meters (6 yards) and connect to a line parallel to the goal line. The area formed by these lines and the goal line is the goal area.
Penalty Area
The penalty area is located at both ends of the field, defined as follows:
From the inside of each goal post, draw two lines perpendicular to the goal line, starting 16.5 meters (18 yards) away. These lines extend into the playing field for 16.5 meters (18 yards) and connect to a line parallel to the goal line. The area formed by these lines and the goal line is the penalty area.
Within each penalty area, a penalty mark is placed at the midpoint between the goal posts, 11 meters (12 yards) from each post. Outside the penalty area, an arc is drawn with a radius of 9.15 meters (10 yards) from each penalty mark.
Corner Flags
A flagpole not less than 1.5 meters (5 feet) high is erected at each corner of the field, with a small flag attached.
Flagpoles may also be placed at least 1 meter (1 yard) outside the ends of the center line.
Corner Arc
Within the playing field, a quarter circle is drawn with a radius of 1 meter (1 yard) from each corner flagpole.
Goals
The goals must be placed at the center of each goal line.
They consist of two vertical posts equidistant from the corner flagpoles and a horizontal crossbar connecting their tops.
The distance between the two posts is 7.32 meters (8 yards), and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44 meters (8 feet).
The two goal posts and the crossbar must have the same width and thickness not exceeding 12 centimeters (5 inches). The width of the goal line must be the same as that of the goal posts and the crossbar. The goal net can be attached to the ground behind the goal and must be properly supported so as not to interfere with the goalkeeper.
The goal posts and crossbar must be white.
Safety
The goals must be securely fixed to the ground; movable goals may only be used if they meet this requirement.
International Football Council Resolutions
· Resolution One
If the crossbar is displaced or broken, the match must be stopped until it is repaired and repositioned. If it cannot be repaired, the match is suspended. A rope may not be used as a substitute for the crossbar. If the crossbar can be repaired, the match should be restarted with a drop ball at the location of the ball when the match was stopped.
· Resolution Two
The goal posts and crossbar must be made of wood, metal, or other approved materials. Their shape may be square, rectangular, circular, or oval, and they must not pose a danger to players.
· Resolution Three
From the time the teams enter the playing field until the end of the first half, and from re-entering the playing field at the start of the second half until the end of the match, no commercial advertising, whether physical or graphic, is allowed to appear on the playing field and its equipment (including the goal net and the ground within the goal net). In particular, no advertising may appear on or around the goals, goal nets, corner flagpoles, or corner flags, nor may any ancillary equipment (such as cameras, microphones, etc.) be installed.
· Resolution Four
No form of advertising is allowed in the technical area outside the playing field and within 1 meter of the sidelines.
Additionally, no advertising is allowed in the area between the goal line and the goal net.
· Resolution Five
As stated in Resolution Three, during the match, any representative logos or patterns of FIFA, confederations, national associations, leagues, clubs, or other groups, whether physical or graphic, are prohibited from appearing on the playing field and its equipment (including the goal net and the ground within the goal net).
· Resolution Six
Outside the playing field, a mark is made 9.15 meters (10 yards) from the corner arc and perpendicular to the goal line to ensure that defending players maintain the required distance when taking a corner kick.