Fair Play is the Name of the Game
The first rules of soccer to be generally agreed and followed were drawn up in England in 1848 and known as the Cambridge Rules.
This code was based on a version of rules proposed several years earlier by Eton College.

The Cambridge rules were revised twice in the 1850's and became the founding laws governing the game, when they were adopted as the standardised rules, at the 1863 meeting of English clubs - which created the world's first Football Association.

The Rules of soccer are easy to understand - there are only 17 fundamental laws - but in the name of fair play, every beginning player - and every fan - must learn and understand these rules and know how they are applied on the field of play.

FIFA, the Federation of World Football provides the rules which the regional Confederations apply.

National Federations sometimes (with FIFA agreement) modify or experiment with various laws.

This is usually a means to 'test' a proposed change in the internationally applied rules.

Minor Leagues - with the permission of the National body - may modify rules to satisfy local need.

Provided the principles of the Laws are maintained, the rules may be modified in their application for matches involving players of under 16 years of age, for women players, for veteran players (over 35 years) and for players with disabilities.

The following modifications are permissible:

1) size of the field of play.
2) size, weight and material of the ball.
3) width between the goalposts and height of the crossbar from the ground.
4) the duration of the periods of play.
5) substitutions.

Further modifications are only allowed with the consent of the International Board.
 

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