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Law 2 - The Ball
Qualities and measurements
The ball is:
spherical
made of leather or other suitable material
of a circumference of not more than 28 inches and not less than 27 inches
not more than 16 ounces and not less than 14 ounces in weight at the start of the match
of a pressure equal to 8.5-15.6 pounds per square inch at sea level
Replacement of a defective ball
If the ball bursts or becomes defective during the course of a match:
the match is stopped
the match is restarted by dropping the replacement ball at the place where the original ball became defective, unless play was stopped inside the goal area, in which case the referee drops the replacement ball on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the original ball was located when play was stopped
If the ball bursts or becomes defective whilst not in play at a kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, free kick, penalty kick or throw-in:
the match is restarted accordingly
The ball may not be changed during the match without the authority of the referee.
Decisions of the IFAB
Decision 1
In addition to the requirements of Law 2, acceptance of a ball for use in matches played in an official competition organized under the auspices of FIFA or the confederations is conditional upon the ball bearing one of the following:
the official “FIFA APPROVED” logo
the official “FIFA INSPECTED” logo
the “INTERNATIONAL MATCHBALL STANDARD” logo
Such a logo on a ball indicates that it has been tested officially and found to be in compliance with specific technical requirements, different for each logo and additional to the minimum specifications stipulated in Law 2. The list of the additional requirements specific to each of the respective logos must be approved by the IFAB. The institutes conducting the tests are subject to the approval of FIFA.
Member association competitions may also require the use of balls bearing any one of these three logos.
Decision 2
In matches played in an official competition organized under the auspices of FIFA, the confederations or the member associations, no form of commercial advertising on the ball is permitted, except for the emblem of the competition, the competition organizer and the authorized trademark of the manufacturer.
The competition regulations may restrict the size and number of such markings.
Interpretations of Law 1
Additional balls
Additional balls may be placed around the field of play for use during a match provided that they meet the requirements of Law 2 and their use is under the control of the referee.
Extra balls on the field of play
If an extra ball enters the field of play during the match, the referee must stop the match only if it interferes with play. Play must be restarted by a dropped ball from the position of the ball when the match was stopped, unless play was stopped inside the goal area, in which case the referee drops the ball on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped.
If an extra ball enters the field of play during the match without interfering with play, the referee must have it removed at the earliest possible opportunity.
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