Laws of the Game

2020/21

9. THE TECHNICAL AREA

The technical area relates to matches played in stadiums with a designated sitting area for team officials, substitutes and substituted players as outlined below:

• the technical area should only extend 1 cm (0.01 yd) on either side of the designated seated area and up to a distance of 1 cm (0.01 yd) from the touchline

• markings should be used to define the area

• the number of persons permitted to occupy the technical area is defined by the competition rules

• the occupants of the technical area:

  • are identified before the start of the match in accordance with the competition rules

  • must behave in a responsible manner

  • must remain within its confines except in special circumstances, e.g. a physiotherapist/doctor entering the field of play, with the referee’s permission, to assess an injured player

• only one person at a time is authorised to convey tactical instructions from the technical area