Question Number: 30490

Other 6/6/2016

RE: Competivej Adult

Dennis of Cedar grove, New jersey Usa asks...

Panama vs Bolivia Monday June 6 second half restart. Player simply kick the ball backward toward his midfield. I thought the ball must be kicked and move forward over the mid field line

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dennis
Not any longer. The new Laws of the Game effective from June 1st allows for the kick off to be kicked backwards as in this example.
Shows how important it is for referees to engage on training and staying up to date with circulars, directives etc.

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Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Dennis,
The 2016/17 LOTG have changed this - along with many other changes. The changes only affect competitions starting after 1st June 2016, but there have been a select number of top-tier matches with permission to use the new laws early.

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Answer provided by Referee James Sowa

Dennis,

Copa America is being played under the auspices of the new Laws of the Game which went into effect on June 1st. Under the new Laws of the Game, a kickoff may be played in any direction.

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