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{{Redirect|Soccer}}
{{other uses|Football (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Infobox sport
| name = Association football
| image = football iu 1996.jpg
| imagesize = 300px
| caption = An attacking player <small>(No. 10)</small> attempts to kick the ball past the opposing team's goalkeeper and between the goalposts to score a goal.
| union = [[FIFA]]
| nickname = Football, soccer, footy/footie, "[[The Beautiful Game]]", "the world game"
| first = Mid-19th century Great Britain, Nottinghamshire, Sheffield.
| country/region = Worldwide
| registered =
| clubs =
| contact = Yes
| team = 11 per side
| mgender = Yes, separate competitions
| category = [[Team sport]], [[Ball game|ball sport]]
| equipment = [[Football (association football)|Football]] (or soccer ball)
| venue = [[Association football pitch|Football pitch]] (or soccer field)
| olympic = Part of the Summer Olympic programme from 1900 to 1928<br />Returned to the Summer Olympic programme in 1936 to today
| paralympic = No
}}
'''Association football''', more commonly known as '''football''' or '''soccer''', is a [[team sport|sport]] played between two teams of eleven [[football player|players]] with a spherical [[Football (association football)|ball]]. At the turn of the 21st century, the game was played by over 250 million players in over 200 countries, making it the world's most popular sport.<ref name=EB>{{cite web|title= Overview of Soccer |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/550852/football|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |accessdate=4 June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Guttman |first=Allen |editor=Eric Dunning, Joseph A. Maguire, Robert E. Pearton |title=The Sports Process: A Comparative and Developmental Approach |year=1993 |accessdate=26 January 2008 |publisher=Human Kinetics |location=Champaign |isbn=0-88011-624-2 |page=129 |chapter=The Diffusion of Sports and the Problem of Cultural Imperialism |chapterurl=http://books.google.com/books?id=tQY5wxQDn5gC&pg=PA129&lpg=PA129&dq=world's+most+popular+team+sport&source=web&ots=6ns3wVUEGV&sig=SZPKYSDMJBrO1uV4mPxNbKyAuJY#PPA129,M1 |quote=the game is complex enough not to be invented independently by many preliterate cultures and yet simple enough to become the world's most popular team sport }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Dunning |first=Eric |authorlink=Eric Dunning |title=Sport Matters: Sociological Studies of Sport, Violence and Civilisation |year=1999 |accessdate=26 January 2008 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=London |isbn=0-415-06413-9 |page=103 |chapter=The development of soccer as a world game |chapterurl=http://books.google.com/books?id=X3lX_LVBaToC&pg=PA105&lpg=PA105&dq=world's+most+popular+team+sport&source=web&ots=ehee9Lr9o1&sig=nyvDhcrPoR8lXhYKE7k4CZYg_qU#PPA103,M1 |quote=During the twentieth century, soccer emerged as the world's most popular team sport }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Mueller |first1=Frederick |last2=Cantu |first=Robert |last3=Van Camp |first3=Steven |title=Catastrophic Injuries in High School and College Sports |year=1996 |accessdate=26 January 2008 |publisher=Human Kinetics |location=Champaign |isbn=0-87322-674-7 |page=57 |chapter=Team Sports |chapterurl=http://books.google.com/books?id=XG6AIHLtyaUC&pg=PA57&lpg=PA57&dq=soccer+most+popular+team+sport&source=web&ots=QzydYB5Am0&sig=w_ouIgmegjytYFfWy7k92guTNfU#PPA57,M1 |quote=Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and is an industry worth over US$400 billion world wide. 80% of this is generated in Europe, though its popularity is growing in the United States. It has been estimated that there were 22 million soccer players in the world in the early 1980s, and that number is increasing. In the United States soccer is now a major sport at both the high school and college levels }}</ref> The game is played on a rectangular [[Association football pitch|field]] of grass or green [[artificial turf]], with a [[Goal (sport)|goal]] in the middle of each of the short ends. The object of the game is to score by driving the ball into the opposing goal.
In general play, the [[goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeepers]] are the only players allowed to touch the ball with their hands or arms (unless the ball is carried out of play, where the field players are required to re-start by a throw-in of the game ball), while the field players typically use their feet to [[Kick (football)|kick]] the ball into position, occasionally using their torso or head to intercept a ball in midair. The team that scores the most goals by the end of the match wins. If the score is tied at the end of the game, either a [[Tie (draw)|draw]] is declared or the game goes into [[extra time]] and/or a [[Penalty shootout (association football)|penalty shootout]], depending on the format of the competition. The [[Laws of the Game (association football)|Laws of the Game]] were originally codified in England by the [[The Football Association|Football Association]] in 1863 and have evolved since then. Association football is governed internationally by [[FIFA]] - Fédération Internationale de Football Association (English: International Federation of Association Football), which organises the [[FIFA World Cup]] every four years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/en/marketing/newmedia/index/0,3509,10,00.html |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061230124633/http://www.fifa.com/en/marketing/newmedia/index/0,3509,10,00.html |archivedate=30 December 2006 |title=2002 FIFA World Cup TV Coverage |publisher=FIFA |date=5 December 2006 |accessdate=6 January 2008}}</ref>
==Etymology and names==
{{main|Names for association football}}
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The rules of football were codified in England by the Football Association in 1863 and the name ''association football'' was coined to distinguish the game from the [[Football|other forms of football]] played at the time, specifically [[rugby football]]. The term ''soccer'' originated in England, first appearing in the 1880s as an [[Oxford "-er"]] abbreviation of the word "association".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usembassy.org.uk/rss/transcripts/worldcup2006a.html |title=The Yanks are Coming: A U.S. World Cup Preview |accessdate=6 June 2009 |last=Mazumdar |first=Partha |date=5 June 2006 |publisher=Embassy of the United States in London}}</ref>
Within the [[English-speaking world]], association football is usually called ''football'' (colloquially ''footy'') or occasionally ''soccer'' in the United Kingdom, and mainly ''soccer'' in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States. Other countries may use either or both terms, and may also have local names for the sport.
==Gameplay==
[[File:U20-WorldCup2007-Okotie-Onka edit2.jpg|thumb|left|A goalkeeper saving a close-range shot from inside the penalty area]]
Association football is played in accordance with a set of rules known as the [[Laws of the Game (association football)|Laws of the Game]]. The game is played using a spherical ball (of {{convert|28|in|cm|abbr=on|disp=flip}} circumference in FIFA play), known as the ''[[Football (association football)|football]]'' (or ''soccer ball''). Two teams of eleven players each compete to get the ball into the other team's goal (between the posts and under the bar), thereby scoring a goal. The team that has scored more goals at the end of the game is the winner; if both teams have scored an equal number of goals then the game is a draw. Each team is led by a [[Captain (association football)|captain]] who has only one official responsibility as mandated by the Laws of the Game: to be involved in the coin toss prior to kick-off or penalty kicks.<ref name="laws51-52"/>
The primary law is that players other than [[Goalkeeper (football)|goalkeepers]] may not deliberately handle the ball with their hands or arms during play, though they do use their hands during a [[throw-in]] restart. Although players usually use their feet to move the ball around, they may use any part of their body (notably, "heading" with the forehead)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://expertfootball.com/training/heading.php |title=How to head a football ) |accessdate=3 January 2011}}</ref> other than their hands or arms.<ref name="fouls">{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws12_02.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 12) |accessdate=24 September 2007| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071011115718/http://fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws12_02.htm| archivedate = 11 October 2007}}</ref> Within normal play, all players are free to play the ball in any direction and move throughout the pitch, though the ball cannot be received in an [[Offside (football)|offside]] position.<ref name="offsidelaw">{{cite book |title=Laws of the Game 2010/2011 |chapter=Law 11 – Offside |url=http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/generic/81/42/36/lawsofthegame_2010_11_e.pdf |format=PDF |author=IFAB |authorlink=International Football Association Board |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=4 March 2011 |page=31}}</ref>
In typical game play, players attempt to create goal-scoring opportunities through individual control of the ball, such as by [[dribbling]], passing the ball to a team-mate, and by taking shots at the goal, which is guarded by the opposing goalkeeper. Opposing players may try to regain control of the ball by intercepting a pass or through [[Tackle (football move)#Association football|tackling]] the opponent in possession of the ball; however, physical contact between opponents is restricted. Football is generally a free-flowing game, with play stopping only when the ball has left the field of play or when play is stopped by the [[Referee (association football)|referee]] for an infringement of the rules. After a stoppage, play recommences with a specified restart.<ref name="restart">{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws8_01.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 8) |accessdate=24 September 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070913142456/http://fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws8_01.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 13 September 2007}}</ref>
[[File:Soccer goalkeeper.jpg|thumb|A goalkeeper dives to stop the ball from entering his goal]]
At a professional level, most matches produce only a few goals. For example, the [[FA Premier League 2005-06|2005–06 season]] of the English [[Premier League]] produced an average of 2.48 goals per match.<ref>{{cite news |title=England Premiership (2005/2006) |work=Sportpress.com |url=http://www.sportpress.com/stats/en/738_england_premiership_2005_2006/11_league_summary.html |accessdate=5 June 2007}} {{Dead link|date=March 2012|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The Laws of the Game do not specify any player positions other than goalkeeper,<ref name=LAW301>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws3_01.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 3–Number of Players) |accessdate=24 September 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070913142527/http://fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws3_01.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 13 September 2007}}</ref> but a number of [[association football positions|specialised roles]] have evolved. Broadly, these include three main categories: [[striker]]s, or forwards, whose main task is to score goals; [[Defender (football)|defenders]], who specialise in preventing their opponents from scoring; and [[midfielder]]s, who dispossess the opposition and keep possession of the ball in order to pass it to the forwards on their team. Players in these positions are referred to as outfield players, in order to distinguish them from the goalkeeper. These positions are further subdivided according to the area of the field in which the player spends most time. For example, there are central defenders, and left and right midfielders. The ten outfield players may be arranged in any combination. The number of players in each position determines the style of the team's play; more forwards and fewer defenders creates a more aggressive and offensive-minded game, while the reverse creates a slower, more defensive style of play. While players typically spend most of the game in a specific position, there are few restrictions on player movement, and players can switch positions at any time.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/rules_and_equipment/4196830.stm |title=Positions guide, Who is in a team? |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |accessdate=24 September 2007 | date=1 September 2005}}</ref> The layout of a team's players is known as a [[Formation (football)|''formation'']]. Defining the team's formation and tactics is usually the prerogative of the team's [[Manager (association football)|manager]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/rules_and_equipment/4197420.stm |title=Formations |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |accessdate=24 September 2007 | date=1 September 2005}}</ref>
==History==
{{Main|History of association football}}
[[File:Fußballgeschichte (1872).jpg|thumb|right|England playing Scotland in the [[England v Scotland representative matches (1870–1872)|first-ever international football game]] ([[The Oval]], 1872)]]
[[File:1stRoyalEngineers.png|thumb|left|The [[Royal Engineers A.F.C.|Royal Engineers]] team who reached the first [[1872 FA Cup Final|FA Cup final]] in 1872]]
Games revolving around the kicking of a ball have been played in many countries throughout history. According to FIFA, the "very earliest form of the game for which there is scientific evidence was an exercise from a military manual dating back to the second and third centuries BC in China", which was known as ''[[cuju]]''.<ref>{{cite web | title = History of Football | publisher=FIFA| url = http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/game/historygame1.html | accessdate =20 November 2006}}</ref> The modern rules of association football are based on the mid-19th century efforts to standardise the widely [[English public school football games|varying forms of football]] played at the public schools of England. The history of football in England dates back to [[medieval football|at least the eighth century]].<ref>{{cite web | title = History of Football – Britain, the home of Football | publisher=FIFA| url = http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/game/historygame2.html | accessdate =20 November 2006}}</ref>
The [[Cambridge Rules]], first drawn up at Cambridge University in 1848, were particularly influential in the development of subsequent codes, including association football. The Cambridge Rules were written at [[Trinity College, Cambridge]], at a meeting attended by representatives from [[Eton College|Eton]], [[Harrow School|Harrow]], [[Rugby School|Rugby]], [[Winchester College|Winchester]] and [[Shrewsbury School|Shrewsbury]] schools. They were not universally adopted. During the 1850s, many clubs unconnected to schools or universities were formed throughout the English-speaking world, to play various forms of football. Some came up with their own distinct codes of rules, most notably the [[Sheffield F.C.|Sheffield Football Club]], formed by former public school pupils in 1857,<ref>{{cite book |last=Harvey |first=Adrian |title=Football, the first hundred years |publisher=Routledge |page=126 |year=2005 |location=London |isbn=0-415-35018-2}}</ref> which led to formation of a [[Sheffield & Hallamshire Football Association|Sheffield FA]] in 1867. In 1862, [[J. C. Thring|John Charles Thring]] of [[Uppingham School]] also devised an influential set of rules.<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Winner |date=28 March 2005 | title = The hands-off approach to a man's game |newspaper=The Times |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-1544006,00.html |accessdate=7 October 2007 | location=London}}</ref>
These ongoing efforts contributed to the formation of [[The Football Association]] (The FA) in 1863, which first met on the morning of 26 October 1863 at the [[Freemasons' Tavern]] in [[Great Queen Street]], London.<ref name="FAhistory">{{cite web |title=History of the FA |publisher=Football Association (FA) |url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/TheOrganisation/Postings/2004/03/HISTORY_OF_THE_FA.htm |accessdate=9 October 2007| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20050407161619/http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/TheOrganisation/Postings/2004/03/HISTORY_OF_THE_FA.htm| archivedate = 7 April 2005}}</ref> The only school to be represented on this occasion was [[Charterhouse School|Charterhouse]]. The Freemason's Tavern was the setting for five more meetings between October and December, which eventually produced the first comprehensive set of rules. At the final meeting, the first FA treasurer, the representative from [[Blackheath Rugby Club|Blackheath]], withdrew his club from the FA over the removal of two draft rules at the previous meeting: the first allowed for running with the ball in hand; the second for obstructing such a run by hacking (kicking an opponent in the shins), tripping and holding. Other [[History of rugby union|English rugby football clubs followed this lead]] and did not join the FA, or subsequently left the FA and instead in 1871 formed the [[Rugby Football Union]]. The eleven remaining clubs, under the charge of [[Ebenezer Cobb Morley]], went on to ratify the original thirteen laws of the game.<ref name="FAhistory"/> These rules included handling of the ball by "marks" and the lack of a crossbar, rules which made it remarkably similar to [[Australian rules football|Victorian rules football]] being developed at that time in Australia. The Sheffield FA played by its own rules until the 1870s with the FA absorbing some of its rules until there was little difference between the games.<ref name="Merger">{{cite book|author=Young, Percy M.|year=1964|title=Football in Sheffield|pages=28–29|publisher=S. Paul}}</ref>
The laws of the game are currently determined by the [[International Football Association Board]] (IFAB).<ref>{{cite web |title=IFAB|url=http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/ifab/aboutifab.html|publisher=FIFA |accessdate=10 December 2011}}</ref> The Board was formed in 1886<ref>{{cite web |title=The International FA Board |publisher=FIFA |url=http://access.fifa.com/en/history/history/0,3504,3,00.html |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070422035010/http://access.fifa.com/en/history/history/0,3504,3,00.html |archivedate=22 April 2007 |accessdate=2 September 2007}}</ref> after a meeting in [[Manchester]] of The Football Association, the [[Scottish Football Association]], the [[Football Association of Wales]], and the [[Irish Football Association]]. The world's oldest football competition is the [[FA Cup]], which was founded by [[C. W. Alcock]] and has been contested by English teams since 1872. The [[Scotland v England (1872)|first official international football match]] took place in 1872 between Scotland and England in [[Glasgow]], again at the instigation of C. W. Alcock. England is home to the world's first [[The Football League|football league]], which was founded in [[Birmingham]] in 1888 by [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] director [[William McGregor (football)|William McGregor]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The History Of The Football League |publisher=Football League |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/History/HistoryDetail/0,,10794~1357277,00.html |date=22 September 2010 |accessdate=4 March 2011}}</ref> The original format contained 12 clubs from the [[English Midlands|Midlands]] and the [[North of England]]. [[Fédération Internationale de Football Association|FIFA]], the international football body, was formed in Paris in 1904 and declared that they would adhere to Laws of the Game of the Football Association.<ref name=Wherebegan/> The growing popularity of the international game led to the admittance of FIFA representatives to the [[International Football Association Board]] in 1913. The board currently consists of four representatives from FIFA and one representative from each of the four British associations.<ref name="IFAB works"/>
Today, football is played at a professional level all over the world. Millions of people regularly go to football stadiums to follow their favourite teams,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/news/theknowledge/0,9204,1059366,00.html |title=Baseball or Football: which sport gets the higher attendance? |last1=Ingle |first1=Sean |last2=Glendenning |first2=Barry |date=9 October 2003 |work=The Guardian |location=UK |newspaper=The Guardian |accessdate=5 June 2006 }}</ref> while billions more watch the game on television or on the internet.<ref>{{cite web | title = TV Data | publisher=FIFA | url = http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/marketingtv/factsfigures/tvdata.html | accessdate =2 September 2007 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070922225713/http://fifa.com/aboutfifa/marketingtv/factsfigures/tvdata.html| archivedate = 22 September 2007}}</ref> A very large number of people also play football at an amateur level. According to a survey conducted by FIFA published in 2001, over 240 million people from more than 200 countries regularly play football.<ref>{{cite web | title = FIFA Survey: approximately 250 million footballers worldwide | publisher=FIFA | url = http://access.fifa.com/infoplus/IP-199_01E_big-count.pdf | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060915133001/http://access.fifa.com/infoplus/IP-199_01E_big-count.pdf | archivedate = 15 September 2006 | format = PDF |accessdate=15 September 2006}}</ref> Football has the highest global television audience in sport.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/marketing/news/newsid=111247/|title=2006 FIFA World Cup broadcast wider, longer and farther than ever before |publisher=FIFA|date=6 February 2007|accessdate=11 October 2009}}</ref>
In many parts of the world football evokes great passions and plays an important role in the life of individual [[Fan (aficionado)|fan]]s, local communities, and even nations. R. Kapuscinski says that people who are polite, modest or even humble in Europe fall easily into rage with playing or watching soccer games.<ref name="soccer war">{{cite book |title=The Soccer War | last=Kapuscinski |first=Ryszard| year=2007}}</ref> The [[Côte d'Ivoire national football team]] helped secure a truce to the nation's [[Ivorian Civil War|civil war]] in 2006<ref>{{cite web |title=More than a game |work=Common Ground News Service |url=http://www.commongroundnews.org/article.php?sid=1&id=2079 |last=Stormer |first=Neil |date=20 June 2006 |accessdate=2 March 2010}}</ref> and it helped further reduce tensions between government and rebel forces in 2007 by playing a match in the rebel capital of [[Bouaké]], an occasion that brought both armies together peacefully for the first time.<ref>{{cite web | title = Best Feet Forward | work=Vanity Fair | url = http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/07/ivorycoast200707 |first=Merrill |last=Austin | date = 10 July 2007 | accessdate =2 March 2010 }}</ref> By contrast, football is widely considered to be the final proximate cause in the [[Football War]] in June 1969 between [[El Salvador]] and [[Honduras]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Has football ever started a war? |newspaper=The Guardian |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/theknowledge/story/0,,2017161,00.html |last1=Dart |first1=James |last2=Bandini |first2=Paolo |date=21 February 2007 |accessdate=24 September 2007 |location=London}}</ref> The sport also exacerbated tensions at the beginning of the [[Yugoslav wars]] of the 1990s, when a match between [[NK Dinamo Zagreb|Dinamo Zagreb]] and [[Red Star Belgrade]] degenerated into rioting in May 1990.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | title= The Soccer Wars | last=Drezner |first=Daniel |authorlink=Daniel W. Drezner |date=4 June 2006 |page=B01 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/02/AR2006060201401.html |accessdate=21 May 2008}}</ref>
==Laws==
{{main|Laws of the Game (association football)}}
There are 17 laws in the official Laws of the Game, each containing a collection of stipulation and guidelines. The same laws are designed to apply to all levels of football, although certain modifications for groups such as juniors, seniors, women and people with physical disabilities are permitted. The laws are often framed in broad terms, which allow flexibility in their application depending on the nature of the game. The Laws of the Game are published by FIFA, but are maintained by the [[International Football Association Board]] (IFAB).<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/lawsofthegame.html| title=Laws Of The Game |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=2 September 2007}}</ref> In addition to the seventeen laws, numerous IFAB decisions and other directives contribute to the regulation of football.
===Players, equipment, and officials===
{{See also|Association football positions|Formation (association football)|Kit (association football)}}
Each team consists of a maximum of eleven players (excluding [[substitute (football)|substitute]]s), one of whom must be the [[goalkeeper (football)|goalkeeper]]. Competition rules may state a minimum number of players required to constitute a team, which is usually seven. Goalkeepers are the only players allowed to play the ball with their hands or arms, provided they do so within the [[Penalty area (football)|penalty area]] in front of their own goal. Though there are a variety of [[association football positions|positions]] in which the outfield (non-goalkeeper) players are strategically placed by a coach, these positions are not defined or required by the Laws.<ref name=LAW301/>
The basic equipment or ''[[Kit (association football)|kit]]'' players are required to wear includes a shirt, shorts, socks, footwear and adequate [[shin guard]]s. [[Association football headgear|Headgear]] is not a required piece of basic equipment, but players today may choose to wear it to protect themselves from head injury. Players are forbidden to wear or use anything that is dangerous to themselves or another player, such as jewellery or watches. The goalkeeper must wear clothing that is easily distinguishable from that worn by the other players and the match officials.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws4_01.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 4–Players' Equipment) |accessdate=24 September 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070913141601/http://fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws4_01.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 13 September 2007}}</ref>
A number of players may be replaced by substitutes during the course of the game. The maximum number of substitutions permitted in most competitive international and domestic league games is three, though the permitted number may vary in other competitions or in friendly matches. Common reasons for a substitution include injury, tiredness, ineffectiveness, a tactical switch, or [[timewasting]] at the end of a finely poised game. In standard adult matches, a player who has been substituted may not take further part in a match.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws3_02.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 3–Substitution procedure) |accessdate=24 September 2007| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071011144947/http://fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws3_02.htm| archivedate = 11 October 2007}}</ref> IFAB recommends that "that a match should not continue if there are fewer than seven players in either team." Any decision regarding points awarded for abandoned games is left to the individual football associations.<ref>{{cite book |title=Laws of the Game 2010/2011 |chapter=Law 3 – The Number of Players |url=http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/generic/81/42/36/lawsofthegame_2010_11_e.pdf |format=PDF |author=IFAB |authorlink=International Football Association Board |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=4 March 2011 |page=62}}</ref>
<div id="Match officials"/>A game is officiated by a [[referee (association football)|referee]], who has "full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed" (Law 5), and whose decisions are final. The referee is assisted by two [[assistant referee]]s. In many high-level games there is also a [[fourth official]] who assists the referee and may replace another official should the need arise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws5_01.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 5–The referee) |accessdate=24 September 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070913141909/http://fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws5_01.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 13 September 2007}}</ref>
===Pitch===
{{Main|Association football pitch}}
[[File:Football pitch metric.svg|thumb|400px|Standard pitch measurements ([[:File:Football pitch imperial.svg|See Imperial version]])]]
As the Laws were formulated in England, and were initially administered solely by the four British football associations within [[IFAB]], the standard dimensions of a football pitch were originally expressed in [[imperial units]]. The Laws now express dimensions with approximate [[SI|metric]] equivalents (followed by traditional units in brackets), though popular use tends to continue to use traditional units in English-speaking countries with a relatively recent history of [[metrication]] (or only partial metrication), such as Britain.<ref>{{cite news |title=Will we ever go completely metric? |work=BBC news |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3934353.stm |date=2 September 2004 |last=Summers |first=Chris |accessdate=7 October 2007}}</ref>
The length of the pitch for international adult matches is in the range of 100–110 m (110–120 yd) and the width is in the range of 64–75 m (70–80 yd). Fields for non-international matches may be 90–120 m (100–130 yd) length and 45–90 m (50–100 yd) in width, provided that the pitch does not become square. Although in 2008, the IFAB initially approved a fixed size of 105 m (344 ft) long and 68 m (223 ft) wide as a standard pitch dimension for A international matches,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/ifab/media/news/newsid=707751/|title=Goal-line technology put on ice |publisher=FIFA |date=8 March 2008 |accessdate=19 June 2010}}</ref><!-- ref for last sentence only --> this decision was later put on hold and was never actually implemented.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/77/82/55/circularno.1145-amendmentstothelawsofthegame-2008.pdf |title=FIFA Amendments to the Laws of the Game, 2008 |publisher=FIFA |format=PDF |accessdate=4 March 2011}}</ref>
The longer boundary lines are ''touchlines'', while the shorter boundaries (on which the goals are placed) are ''goal lines''. A rectangular goal is positioned at the middle of each goal line.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws1_01.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 1.1–The field of play) |accessdate=24 September 2007| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070913142202/http://fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws1_01.htm| archivedate = 13 September 2007}}</ref> The inner edges of the vertical goal posts must be 7.32 m (8 yd) apart, and the lower edge of the horizontal crossbar supported by the goal posts must be 2.44 m (8 ft) above the ground. Nets are usually placed behind the goal, but are not required by the Laws.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws1_04.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 1.4–The Field of play) |accessdate=24 September 2007| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071011144942/http://fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws1_04.htm| archivedate = 11 October 2007}}</ref>
In front of each goal is an area known as the [[penalty area]]. This area is marked by the goal line, two lines starting on the goal line 16.5 m (18 yd) from the goalposts and extending 16.5 m (18 yd) into the pitch perpendicular to the goal line, and a line joining them. This area has a number of functions, the most prominent being to mark where the goalkeeper may handle the ball and where a penalty foul by a member of the defending team becomes punishable by a [[penalty kick (football)|penalty kick]]. Other markings define the position of the ball or players at [[Kick-off (association football)|kick-off]]s, goal kicks, penalty kicks and corner kicks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws1_03.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 1.3–The field of play) |accessdate=24 September 2007| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071011084145/http://fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws1_03.htm| archivedate = 11 October 2007}}</ref>
===Duration and tie-breaking methods===
A standard adult football match consists of two periods of 45 minutes each, known as halves. Each half runs continuously, meaning that the clock is not stopped when the ball is out of play. There is usually a 15-minute half-time break between halves. The end of the match is known as full-time.<ref name="rule7.2"/> The referee is the official timekeeper for the match, and may make an allowance for time lost through substitutions, injured players requiring attention, or other stoppages. This added time is most commonly referred to as ''stoppage time'' or ''injury time'', while ''loss time'' can also be used as a synonym. The duration of stoppage time is at the sole discretion of the referee. The referee alone signals the end of the match. In matches where a fourth official is appointed, toward the end of the half the referee signals how many minutes of stoppage time he intends to add. The fourth official then informs the players and spectators by holding up a board showing this number. The signalled stoppage time may be further extended by the referee.<ref name="rule7.2">{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws7_02.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 7.2–The duration of the match) |accessdate=24 September 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071011144952/http://fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws7_02.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 11 October 2007}}</ref> Added time was introduced because of an incident which happened in 1891 during a match between [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke]] and [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]. Trailing 1–0 and with just two minutes remaining, Stoke were awarded a penalty. Villa's goalkeeper kicked the ball out of the ground, and by the time the ball had been recovered, the 90 minutes had elapsed and the game was over.<ref>[[The Sunday Times]] ''Illustrated History Of Football'' Reed International Books Limited 1996. p.11 ISBN 1-85613-341-9</ref> The same law also stands that the duration of either half is extended until the penalty kick to be taken or retaken is completed, thus no game shall end with a penalty to be taken.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws7_03.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 7.3–The duration of the match) |accessdate=3 March 2010| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080603064822/http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws7_03.htm| archivedate = 3 June 2008}}</ref>
In league competitions, games may end in a draw. In knockout competitions where a winner is required various methods may be employed to break such a deadlock, some competitions may invoke [[Replay (sports)|replays]].<ref>For example in the [[FA Cup]] prior to the semi-finals.</ref> A game tied at the end of regulation time may go into extra time, which consists of two further 15-minute periods. If the score is still tied after extra time, some competitions allow the use of [[penalty shootout (football)|penalty shootouts]] (known officially in the Laws of the Game as "kicks from the penalty mark") to determine which team will progress to the next stage of the tournament. Goals scored during extra time periods count toward the final score of the game, but kicks from the penalty mark are only used to decide the team that progresses to the next part of the tournament (with goals scored in a penalty shootout not making up part of the final score).<ref name="laws51-52">{{cite book |title=Laws of the Game 2010/2011 |chapter=Procedures to determine the winner of a match or home-and-away |url=http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/generic/81/42/36/lawsofthegame_2010_11_e.pdf |format=PDF |author=IFAB |authorlink=International Football Association Board |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=4 March 2011 |pages=51–52}}</ref>
In competitions using [[two-legged match]]es, each team competes at home once, with an aggregate score from the two matches deciding which team progresses. Where aggregates are equal, the [[away goals rule]] may be used to determine the winners, in which case the winner is the team that scored the most goals in the leg they played away from home. If the result is still equal, extra time and potentially a penalty shootout are required.<ref name="laws51-52"/>
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the [[IFAB]] experimented with ways of creating a winner without requiring a penalty shootout, which was often seen as an undesirable way to end a match. These involved rules ending a game in extra time early, either when the first goal in extra time was scored (''[[golden goal]]''), or if one team held a lead at the end of the first period of extra time (''[[silver goal]]''). Golden goal was used at the World Cup in [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]] and [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]]. The first World Cup game decided by a golden goal was [[France national football team|France]]'s victory over [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] in 1998. [[Germany national football team|Germany]] was the first nation to score a golden goal in a major competition, beating [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]] in the final of [[Euro 1996]]. Silver goal was used in [[Euro 2004]]. Both these experiments have been discontinued by IFAB.<ref>{{cite news | title = Time running out for silver goal |publisher=Rediff.com |agency=Reuters | url = http://www.rediff.com/sports/2004/jul/02silver.htm | last=Collett |first=Mike | date = 2 July 2004 | accessdate =7 October 2007}}</ref>
===Ball in and out of play===
{{Main|Ball in and out of play}}
Under the Laws, the two basic states of play during a game are ''ball in play'' and ''ball out of play''. From the beginning of each playing period with a kick-off until the end of the playing period, the ball is in play at all times, except when either the ball leaves the field of play, or play is stopped by the referee. When the ball becomes out of play, play is restarted by one of eight restart methods depending on how it went out of play:
[[File:Shunsuke1 20080622.jpg|thumb|right|A player takes a free kick, while the opposition form a "wall" to try to block the ball]]
* [[Kick-off (association football)|Kick-off]]: following a goal by the opposing team, or to begin each period of play.<ref name="restart"/>
* [[Throw-in]]: when the ball has crossed the touchline; awarded to opposing team to that which last touched the ball.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws15_01.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 15–The Throw-in) |accessdate=14 October 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070913142556/http://fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws15_01.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 13 September 2007}}</ref>
* [[Goal kick]]: when the ball has wholly crossed the goal line without a goal having been scored and having last been touched by a player of the attacking team; awarded to defending team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws16_01.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 16–The Goal Kick) |accessdate=14 October 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070913141725/http://fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws16_01.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 13 September 2007}}</ref>
* [[Corner kick]]: when the ball has wholly crossed the goal line without a goal having been scored and having last been touched by a player of the defending team; awarded to attacking team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws17_01.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 17–The Corner Kick) |accessdate=14 October 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070913142324/http://fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws17_01.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 13 September 2007}}</ref>
* [[Indirect free kick]]: awarded to the opposing team following "non-penal" fouls, certain technical infringements, or when play is stopped to caution or send-off an opponent without a specific foul having occurred. A goal may not be scored directly (without the ball first touching another player) from an indirect free kick.<ref name="freekick">{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws13_01.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 13–Free Kicks) |accessdate=14 October 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070913142645/http://fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws13_01.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 13 September 2007}}</ref>
* [[Direct free kick]]: awarded to fouled team following certain listed "penal" fouls.<ref name="freekick"/> A goal may be scored directly from a direct free kick.
* [[Penalty kick (football)|Penalty kick]]: awarded to the fouled team following a foul usually punishable by a direct free kick but that has occurred within their opponent's penalty area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws14_01.htm |publisher=FIFA |title=Laws of the game (Law 14–The Penalty Kick) |accessdate=14 October 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070913142717/http://fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/Laws14_01.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 13 September 2007}}</ref>
* [[Dropped-ball]]: occurs when the referee has stopped play for any other reason, such as a serious injury to a player, interference by an external party, or a ball becoming defective.<ref name="restart"/>
===Misconduct===
{{mainarticle|Misconduct (association football)}}
====On-field====
{{double image|right|Yellow card.svg|60|Red card.svg|60|Players are cautioned with a yellow card, and sent off with a red card. These colours were first introduced at the [[1970 FIFA World Cup]] and used consistently since.}}
[[File:Ryan Valentine scores.jpg|thumb|left|A player scores a penalty kick given after an offence is committed inside the penalty area]]
A [[foul (football)|foul]] occurs when a player commits an offence listed in the Laws of the Game while the ball is in play. The offences that constitute a foul are listed in Law 12. Handling the ball deliberately, tripping an opponent, or pushing an opponent, are examples of "penal fouls", punishable by a [[direct free kick]] or [[penalty kick (football)|penalty kick]] depending on where the offence occurred. Other fouls are punishable by an [[indirect free kick]].<ref name="fouls"/>
The referee may punish a player or substitute's [[misconduct (football)|misconduct]] by a caution ([[Penalty card|yellow card]]) or sending-off ([[Penalty card|red card]]). A second yellow card at the same game leads to a red card, and therefore to a sending-off. A player given a yellow card is said to have been "booked", the referee writing the player's name in his official notebook.
If a player has been sent off, no substitute can be brought on in their place. Misconduct may occur at any time, and while the offences that constitute misconduct are listed, the definitions are broad. In particular, the offence of "unsporting behaviour" may be used to deal with most events that violate the spirit of the game, even if they are not listed as specific offences. A referee can show a yellow or red card to a player, substitute or substituted player. Non-players such as managers and support staff cannot be shown the yellow or red card, but may be expelled from the technical area if they fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner.<ref name="fouls"/>
Rather than stopping play, the referee may allow play to continue if doing so will benefit the team against which an offence has been committed. This is known as "playing an advantage".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/rules_and_equipment/4188646.stm |title=Referee's signals: advantage |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |accessdate=4 March 2011 |date=14 September 2005}}</ref> The referee may "call back" play and penalise the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue within "a few seconds". Even if an offence is not penalised due to advantage being played, the offender may still be sanctioned for misconduct at the next stoppage of play.<ref>{{cite book |title=Laws of the Game 2010/2011 |chapter=Law 5: The Referee: Advantage |url=http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/generic/81/42/36/lawsofthegame_2010_11_e.pdf |format=PDF |author=IFAB |authorlink=International Football Association Board |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=4 March 2011 |page=66}}</ref>
The referee's decision in all on-pitch matters is considered final<ref>{{cite web|title=The Laws of the Game |chapter=Law 5: The Referee|url=http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/generic/81/42/36/lawsofthegame_2011_12_en.pdf |format=PDF |author=IFAB |authorlink=International Football Association Board |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=5 May 2012 |page=24}}</ref>. The score of a match cannot be altered after the game, even if later evidence shows that decisions (including awards/non-awards of goals) were incorrect.
====Off-field====
{{seealso|Misconduct_(association_football)#Post-match}}
Along with the general administration of the sport, football associations and competition organisers also enforce good conduct in wider aspects of the game, dealing with issues such as comments to the press, clubs' financial management, [[Use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport|doping]], [[Age fraud in association football|age fraud]] and [[match fixing]]. Some on-field incidents, if considered very serious (such as allegations of racial abuse), may result in further action than that which is in power of an on-field referee.<ref>For example, the [[English Premier League]] fined and levied an 8-match suspension on [[Luis Suárez (Uruguayan_footballer)|Luis Suárez]] for [[Luis_Suárez_(Uruguayan_footballer)#Racial_abuse_incident|racially abusing]] [[Patrice Evra]]</ref> Some associations allow for appeals against player suspensions incurred on-field if clubs feel a referee was incorrect or unduly harsh.
Sanctions for such infractions may be levied on individuals or on to clubs as a whole. Penalties may range from fines, points deductions (in league competitions) to expulsion from competitions. For example, the English and Scottish leagues will often deduct 10 points from a team that enters [[Administration (British football)|financial administration]].
==Governing bodies==
{{See also|Association football around the world}}
The recognised international governing body of football (and associated games, such as [[futsal]] and [[beach soccer]]) is the [[FIFA|Fédération Internationale de Football Association]] (FIFA). The FIFA headquarters are located in [[Zurich]]. Six regional confederations are associated with FIFA; these are:<ref name="confeds">{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/confederations/ |title=Confederations |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=4 March 2011}}</ref>
* Asia: [[Asian Football Confederation]] (AFC)
* Africa: [[Confederation of African Football]] (CAF)
* Europe: [[UEFA|Union of European Football Associations]] (UEFA)
* North/Central America & Caribbean: [[CONCACAF|Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football]] (CONCACAF)
* Oceania: [[Oceania Football Confederation]] (OFC)
* South America: [[CONMEBOL|Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol/Confederação Sul-americana de Futebol]] (South American Football Confederation; CONMEBOL)
National associations oversee football within individual countries. These are generally synonymous with sovereign states, (for example: the [[Fédération Camerounaise de Football]] in Cameroon) but also include a smaller number of associations responsible for sub-national entities or autonomous regions (for example the [[Scottish Football Association]] in Scotland). 208 national associations are affiliated both with FIFA and with their respective continental confederations.<ref name="confeds"/>
While FIFA is responsible for arranging competitions and most rules related to international competition, the actual Laws of the Game are set by the [[International Football Association Board]], where each of the UK Associations has one vote, while FIFA collectively has four votes.<ref name="IFAB works">{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/ifab/aboutifab.html |title=The IFAB: How it works |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=4 March 2011}}</ref>
==International competitions==
{{main|List of association football competitions}}
[[File:Mecz Polska - Armenia 04 ssj 20070328.jpg|thumb|A [[Moment of silence|minute's silence]] before an international match]]
The major international competition in football is the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]], organised by FIFA. This competition takes place over a four-year period. More than 190 national teams compete in qualifying tournaments within the scope of continental confederations for a place in the finals. The finals tournament, which is held every four years, involves 32 national teams competing over a four-week period.<ref>The number of competing teams has varied over the history of the competition. The most recent changed was in [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]], from 24 to 32.</ref> The most recent tournament, the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]], was held in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July.<ref>{{cite web | title = The FIFA Calendar | publisher=FIFA | url = http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/calendar/events.html | accessdate =12 June 2010}}</ref>
There has been a [[Football at the Summer Olympics|football tournament]] at every Summer Olympic Games since 1900, except at the 1932 games in [[1932 Summer Olympics|Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olympic.org/football-equipment-and-history?tab=1 |title=Football Equipment and History |publisher=International Olympic Committee (IOC) |accessdate=4 March 2011}}</ref> Before the inception of the World Cup, the Olympics (especially during the 1920s) had the same status as the World Cup. Originally, the event was for amateurs only,<ref name=Wherebegan>{{cite web |url=http://access.fifa.com/en/history/history/0,3504,4,00.html |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070608215029/http://access.fifa.com/en/history/history/0,3504,4,00.html |archivedate=8 June 2007 |title=Where it all began |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=8 June 2007}}</ref> however, since the [[1984 Summer Olympics]] professional players have been permitted, albeit with certain restrictions which prevent countries from fielding their strongest sides. Currently, the Olympic men's tournament is played at Under-23 level. In the past the Olympics have allowed a restricted number of over-age players per team;<ref>{{cite web |title=Football – An Olympic Sport since 1900 |publisher=International Olympic Committee (IOC) |url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/programme/index_uk.asp?SportCode=FB |archiveurl=http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20090601015157/http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/programme/index_uk.asp?SportCode=FB |archivedate=1 June 2009 |accessdate=7 October 2007}}</ref> but that practice ceased in the 2008 Olympics. A women's tournament was added in 1996; in contrast to the men's event, full international sides without age restrictions play the women's Olympic tournament.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://olympics.sportinglife.com/olympics/story/0,23911,14986,00.html |title=Event Guide – Football |work=sportinglife |publisher=365 media group |accessdate=5 March 2011}}</ref>
After the World Cup, the most important international football competitions are the continental championships, which are organised by each continental confederation and contested between national teams. These are the [[UEFA European Football Championship|European Championship]] (UEFA), the [[Copa América]] (CONMEBOL), [[African Cup of Nations]] (CAF), the [[Asian Cup]] (AFC), the [[CONCACAF Gold Cup]] (CONCACAF) and the [[OFC Nations Cup]] (OFC). The [[FIFA Confederations Cup]] is contested by the winners of all 6 continental championships, the current [[FIFA World Cup]] champions and the country which is hosting the Confederations Cup. This is generally regarded as a warm-up tournament for the upcoming FIFA World Cup and does not carry the same prestige as the World Cup itself. The most prestigious competitions in club football are the respective continental championships, which are generally contested between national champions, for example the [[UEFA Champions League]] in Europe and the [[Copa Libertadores de América]] in South America. The winners of each continental competition contest the [[FIFA Club World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Organising Committee strengthens FIFA Club World Cup format | publisher=FIFA| url=http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2007/releases/newsid=570740.html|date=14 August 2007 | accessdate =7 October 2007}}</ref>
==Domestic competitions==
{{Main|Association football around the world}}
The governing bodies in each country operate [[league system]]s in a [[Domestic association football season|domestic season]], normally comprising several [[division (sport)|division]]s, in which the teams gain points throughout the season depending on results. Teams are placed into [[Table (information)|table]]s, placing them in order according to points accrued. Most commonly, each team plays every other team in its league at home and away in each season, in a [[round-robin tournament]]. At the end of a season, the top team is declared the champion. The top few teams may be [[promotion and relegation|promoted]] to a higher division, and one or more of the teams finishing at the bottom are [[promotion and relegation|relegated]] to a lower division.<ref>{{cite journal |title=European and North American Sports Differences(?) |title=Scottish Journal of Political Economy |last=Fort |first=Rodney |month=September |year=2000 |volume=47 |issue=4 |pages=431–455 |doi=10.1111/1467-9485.00172}}</ref> The teams finishing at the top of a country's league may be eligible also to play in international club competitions in the following season. The main exceptions to this system occur in some Latin American leagues, which divide football championships into two sections named [[Apertura and Clausura]] (Spanish for ''Opening'' and ''Closing''), awarding a champion for each.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/latinamerica/story/Estudiantes-win-Argentina-Apertura-title |title=Estudiantes win Argentina Apertura title |date=13 December 2010 |newspaper=FoxSports |agency=Associated Press |quote=Under the system used in Argentina and most of Latin America, two season titles are awarded each year – the Apertura and Clausura.}}</ref> The majority of countries supplement the league system with one or more "cup" competitions organised on a [[single elimination tournament|knock-out]] basis.
Some countries' top divisions feature highly paid star players; in smaller countries and lower divisions, players may be part-timers with a second job, or amateurs. The five top European leagues – the [[Premier League]] (England),<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7321408.stm |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |title= Premier League conquering Europe |date=31 March 2008 |accessdate=27 May 2008 | first=Ian | last=Hughes}}</ref> [[La Liga]] (Spain), [[Serie A]] (Italy), the [[Fußball-Bundesliga|Bundesliga]] (Germany) and [[Ligue 1]] (France) – attract most of the world's best players and each of the leagues has a total wage cost in excess of £600 million/€763 million/US$1.185 billion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Louise |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/may/29/premierleague |newspaper=The Guardian |title=Leading clubs losing out as players and agents cash in |date=29 May 2008 |accessdate=28 November 2008 | location=London}}</ref>
==Women's association football==
[[File:Mia1997.JPG|thumb|thumb|Two players trying to win the ball]]
{{main|Women's association football}}
Women have been playing association football since the first recorded women's game in 1895 in North London. It has traditionally been associated with charity games and physical exercise, particularly in the United Kingdom.<ref name="BBCwomen-Gregory">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/women/4607171.stm |title=How women's football battled for survival |last=Gregory |first=Patricia |work=BBC sport |publisher=BBC |date=3 June 2005 |accessdate=19 February 2010}}</ref> This perception began to change in the 1970s with the breakthrough of organised women's association football. Association football is the most prominent [[team sport]] for women in several countries, and one of the few women's team sports with [[women's professional sports|professional leagues]].
The growth in women's football has seen major competitions being launched at both [[Women's football around the world|national]] and [[international competitions in women's football|international]] level mirroring the male competitions. Women's football faced many struggles throughout its fight for right. It had a "golden age" in the United Kingdom in the early 1920s when crowds reached 50,000 at some matches;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/women/4603149.stm |title=Trail-blazers who pioneered women's football |last=Alexander |first=Shelley |work=BBC sport |publisher=BBC |date=3 June 2005 |accessdate=19 February 2010}}</ref> this was stopped on 5 December 1921 when England's Football Association voted to ban the game from grounds used by its member clubs. The FA's ban was rescinded in December 1969 with UEFA voting to officially recognise women's football in 1971.<ref name="BBCwomen-Gregory"/> The [[FIFA Women's World Cup]] was inaugurated in 1991 and has been held every four years since.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=103/awards/index.html |title=Tournaments: Women's World Cup |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=11 March 2011}}</ref>
==Variants and casual play==
{{see also|Variants of association football|Street football}}
Variants of football have been codified for reduced-sized teams (i.e. [[Five-a-side football]]) play in non-field environments (i.e. [[Beach soccer]], [[Indoor soccer]] & [[Futsal]]) and for teams with disabilities (i.e. [[Paralympic association football]]).
One of the attractions of association football is that a [[Street football|casual game]] can be played with only minimal equipment – a basic game can be played on almost any open area of reasonable size with just a ball and items to mark the positions of two sets of goalposts. Such games can often have team sizes that vary considerably from 11-a-side, use a limited and/or modified subset of the official rules, and are likely to be self-officiated by the players.
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
==Pranala luar==
{{Spoken Wikipedia-2|2007-09-05|Football (soccer) Part One.ogg|Football (soccer) Part Two.ogg}}
{{Commons|Football (Soccer)}}
{{Portal|Sepak bola}}
* [http://www.fifa.com/ Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)]
* [http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/lawsofthegame.html Laws of the Game (LOTG)]
* [http://www.rsssf.com/ The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF)]
* {{dmoz|Sports/Soccer/}}
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