Question Number: 35309

Other 1/1/2024

RE: Adult

Gena of Whitehorse, Canada asks...

How do you determine slide tackle being legal or illegal in futsal, based on FIFA LOTG?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gena
Futsal has it own set of unique Laws. While there are many similarities there are unique differences between the law books.
https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/2db4520788a5dd8/original/Futsal-Laws-of-the-Game-2022-2023-EN.pdf


Safety of players on a hard surface and confined space is of paramount importance so particular attention is paid to challenges for the ball.

In itself sliding does happen in the game to say make a save, stop a ball going out of play. There is nothing illegal with this action.

Now the slide tackle is a different situation entirely. Slide tackling is challenging for the ball when an opponent is in playing distance of the ball. If the referee deems this dangerous, it will be considered an offence and penalised accordingly.
What would be considered dangerous in Futsal. Well for one knocking a player over in a slide challenge on a hard surface is the main one. Another one would be the opponent having to avoid the sliding player by jumping out of the way and perhaps going to ground.

Many Futsal leagues at grassroots err the side of caution by penalising any slide challenge close to an opponent. It bring a degree of certainty to the calls in that if a slide challenge is made it more than likely will be called.
Games in an area will usually follow a pattern of what is acceptable in slides and not considered dangerous. Referees should follow that norm and call accordingly.
The message for players is not to ask the question and stand up while making challenges for the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Gena,
Futsal is usually a lined hard surface smaller area with fewer players and a less bouncy indoor ball. Going to ground has risks. Indoor soccer with boards surrounding the perimeter has even GREATER risks. Safety of the players should certainly be uppermost in any official capacity. The key being NEUTRAL evaluation across the spectrum. As my colleague REF McHugh pointed out, a slide tackle into a opponent versus simply trying to clear a ball or stop a shot on goal, by sliding along the floor is judged on the risk factor to the player not just the act itself. Although there could be a ban on such tackles within the local associations or tournaments for indoor soccer. There are fouls for the attempt to tackle that fail, given an opponent has to evaded the contact. In indoor soccer charging/boarding, running into players squeezing them into the sides is usually a red card offence. A referees' discretionary opinions on the legality of a challenge will be based on their view of the event, the instant it occurs, on their understanding of the LOTG and their ability to discern from experience what players can accept & that he can tolerate as acceptable . The best advise is stay upright
very little decent defending occurs on your butt unless you get very lucky! !
Cheers