IFAB-2026/2027 Game Rules in Ukrainian - on the UAF website

The UAF Arbitration Committee has published the IFAB-2026/2027 Rules of the Game, which came into effect on July 1, 2026.

The Ukrainian Football Association Arbitration Committee draws attention to the fact that the IFAB-2026/2027 Rules of the Game in Ukrainian have appeared in the Documents/Circulars section of the UAF website.

Below is a structured overview of the main provisions.

⏱️ Substitution Procedure

10-second limit: The substituted player must leave the field within 10 seconds after the referee's signal or display of the board.

Limit violation: If a player does not leave the field on time, a substitute can enter the field, and the referee may punish the time-waster.

Exception: This rule does not apply if a player cannot leave the field due to injury or safety concerns.

🩺 Medical Assistance

Prohibition on the field: Medical assistance cannot be provided on the field to a player if it causes a stoppage in play.

Mandatory exit: Those in need of assistance must leave the field to receive it.

Return: An injured player can return to the field no earlier than 1 minute after the game resumes.

🔴 Disciplinary Sanctions

Protests: A substituted or substitute player receives a direct dismissal if they leave the field to protest the referee's decision or incite others to do the same.

Replacement for a red card: If allowed by the tournament rules, the introduced time restriction protocol allows for substituting a player sent off for certain offenses (depending on the competition regulations).

The IFAB (International Football Association Board) Rules of the Game for the 2026/2027 season include key innovations to increase match dynamics and combat time-wasting. The main changes relate to the substitution procedure, disciplinary sanctions, and the provision of medical assistance.