The 2018 FIFA World Cup is all set to begin from June 14 in Russia and the football fanatics all over the world are gearing up for a busy month.
The football World Cup will be the hot topic of discussion in offices, social gatherings and everywhere you go over the next two months. In a cricket-crazy country like India, football will dominate sports conversations even as India gear up for a tough tour of England.
And when they all talk football, fret over how Cristiano Ronaldo's offside denied Portugal a crucial goal or a how a red card dashed Lionel Messi's hopes in a crunch semifinal, you cannot look or sound out-of-place.
But worry not. We have compiled everything football you need to know in a quick learners' guide.
For all those who will begin watching the game from this World Cup or are still beginning to understand the game, here's your guide to all major rules and regulations.
WHAT IS AN OFFSIDE?
An offside is a type of foul that happens when a player is standing ahead of the opposition defenders at the time when the ball is played towards him.
Basically, while the ball is being passed towards a player, if there is only the goalkeeper between him and the goalpost, he is offside. In this case, even if he scores a goal, it will not be counted.
For instance, say Germany are playing Spain. Germany's Kroos passes the ball to Ozil, who happens to be behind the defence line of the opposition (Spain), that is an offside.
WHAT IS VAR AND HOW WILL BE IT BE USED DURING THE WORLD CUP?
VAR stands for Video Assistant Referee. For the first time in a World Cup, VAR will be used to assist the referees on the field of action. VAR is basically a tool that helps the on-field umpires reach a correct decision by means of the broadcasting footages available.
If you are aware of the Decision Review System (DRS) in cricket, VAR is more or less similar. The only difference is that as far as VAR is concerned in football, players are not needed to appeal.
During the World Cup, VAR can only be used if the referees make a 'clear and obvious error' in taking a decision related to goals, penalties, straight red cards and mistaken identity. The areas of reviewing are limited so as to minimise disruption to the game.
There are three scenarios during which VAR will come into play during a match
1. When the video referee speaks to the on-field referee through the earpiece and the play would be paused for reviewing of a decision. According to whatever decision is reached, the play will resume.
2. When the on-field referee draws a rectangle to replicate a TV screen asking for review of an incident. The video referee will look into the incident and reach a decision.
3. An on-field review takes place when the video assistant will ask the on-field referee to review a more subjective incident. The referee will look through the footage on the pitchside screen and reach a decision
EVERYTHING ABOUT THE RED CARD
If a red card is shown to a player during a match, he is suspended for the remaining of the play and the next match. On the other hand, a yellow card is used to caution the players for a serious foul. If a referee gives two yellow cards to a player, it is considered as a red card and the player has to leave the ground.
When do referees give a direct red card?
Referee gives a straight red card to a player for cynical and illegal fouls, manhandling an opponent or a referee.
A direct red card can be shown for tackles from behind, double footed tackle or a tackle that involves high boot.
Also, players are not allowed to take off their shirt as celebration considering the chances of fan violence thereafter and so, the referee can show a yellow card to the guilty player for the same.
RULES FOR THE GOALKEEPER
A goalkeeper is the only player who is allowed to handle the ball in the game of football. However, he is allowed to do so within his penalty area. If a goalkeeper handles the ball outside the penalty area, the opposition is awarded with a free kick.
Also a goalkeeper cannot directly handle the ball if his teammate has given a backpass to him. He is first supposed to touch the ball with his feet and then handle it. In case the goalkeeper fails to do so, a free kick is given to the opposition wherever the foul has been made.
WHAT IS A FREE KICK?
A free kick is when a player is allowed to kick the ball from a certain distance without any hindrance from the opposition. During a free kick, the oppositions usually make a wall at a certain distance from the spot of the free kick and the player cannot be interrupted till the ball is kicked.
WHEN CAN THE REFEREE AWARD A PENALTY?
Any foul inside the penalty area can lead to the referee awarding the same to a team. From a serious shoulder battle to being brought down, penalty area is where the defenders are required to be very careful.
The penalty area is the 18-yard box from the goalpost.
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