Football
Author：tercal From： Updated：2007-11-29
|
Sydney Football Stadium, 28 September 2000, Games of the XXVII Olympiad: Mia Hamm of the USA (N°9) battling with Hege RIISE (N°6) of Norway during the football final. Norway went on to win the gold medal. Credit: Getty Images/Shaun Botterill
While the modern game of football started with the foundation of the Football Association of England in 1863, its roots extend to opposite ends of the earth. The ancient Chinese, Greeks and Romans played a similar game, long before English kings in the 1300s and 1400s were trying to outlaw the violent sport.
While professionals are allowed in the men’s tournament, rules restrict teams to players under 23 years old with the exception of three over-age players. ’No age restrictions apply for the women’s tournament. For the Beijing 2008 Games the number of women’s teams has been increased to 12. The men’s tournament is set at 16 teams.
Olympic history
In 1900 and 1904, football was introduced as an exhibition sport and became the first team sport included in the Olympic Games. Since 1908, the sport has been held at every Olympic Games with the exception of 1932 in Los Angeles.
Europe clearly dominated the competitions until 1992, when Spain became the last European team to win a gold medal.
Since the introduction of women's football in 1996, the USA won the gold medal in 1996 and 2004, but was beaten in the final by Norway in 2000.
Equipment
Ball
Spherical and made of leather or another suitable material.
Goalkeeper gloves
Help in the handling of the ball.
Goal
Consists of two upright posts joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar (2.44m by 7.32m - 8yds by 8ft). The goal is placed on the centre of each goal line.
Shin guards
Protection pour les tibias des joueurs. Les protège-tibias font partie de l'équipement obligatoire des joueurs et doivent être entièrement recouverts par les chaussettes.
Uniforms
Shirts, shorts and socks are worn in the team colours. Each goalkeeper wears colours that distinguish him from the other players, the referee and the assistant referees.
Soccer boots
Soccer boots may have studs or cleats across the sole.
Play field
Field surface
Matches may be played on natural or artificial surfaces, according to the rules of the competition.
Dimensions
The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line.
Length: 90 m (100 yds) to 120 m (130 yds).
Width: 45 m (50 yds) to 90 m (100 yds).
International Matches
Length: 100 m (110 yds) to 110 m (120 yds).
Rules
The Number of Players
A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than seven players.
Up to a maximum of three substitutes may be used in any match played in an official competition organised under the auspices of FIFA, the confederations or the member associations.
The rules of the competition must state how many substitutes may be nominated, from three up to a maximum of seven.
The Method of Scoring
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the Laws of the Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal.
When competition rules require there to be a winning team after a match or home-and-away tie, only the following procedures, which have been approved by the International F.A. Board, are permitted by Away goals rule, Extra time and Kicks from the penalty mark.
Fouls and Misconduct
A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
trips or attempts to trip an opponent
jumps at an opponent
charges an opponent
strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
pushes an opponent
The Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is awarded against a team that commits one of the ten offences for which a direct free kick is awarded, inside its own penalty area and while the ball is in play.
A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick.
Additional time is allowed for a penalty kick to be taken at the end of each half or at the end of periods of extra time.
Width: 64 m (70 yds) to 75 m.
List of events
On the programme of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, Beijing 2008
(1) football Me
|
|
|