Law 3 Changes: Substitutes

Summary:

• A player who is being substituted must leave the field at the nearest point on the boundary line, unless otherwise directed by the referee. 

Explanation:

• To stop a player who is being substituted ‘wasting’ time by leaving slowly at the halfway line (which is not a Law requirement) the player must leave at the nearest point (as with an injury) unless the referee indicates otherwise, e.g. if the player can leave quickly at the halfway line, there is a safety/security issue or the player leaves on a stretcher. The player must go immediately to the technical area or dressing room to avoid problems with substitutes, spectators, or the match officials. A player who infringes the spirit of this Law should be sanctioned for unsporting behavior i.e. delaying the restart of play. 

Law 4 Changes: Players' equipment:

Summary:

• Multi-colored/patterned undershirts are allowed if they are the same as the sleeve of the main shirt. 

Explanation:

• Manufacturers now make patterned undershirts whose sleeves are the same as the main shirt sleeve; these should be allowed as they help match officials’ decision-making.