Football / Protocols & guidance

Only the captain

IFAB · 2026/27
Last checked: 12 October 2026
Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27 · Source pages: 28–31
In short

Respectful captain-led communication for important decisions; a competition option before the stated mandatory date.

On this pageScope and interactionOptional four-metre zone

Scope and interaction

These guidelines become compulsory for competitions starting on or after 1 July 2027. Ordinary player-referee communication remains allowed. Dissent by any player, including a captain, brings a caution.

  • For major incidents, normally only the captain from each team approaches respectfully. Captains help keep team-mates away.
  • Unauthorised approaches or surrounding the referee may be cautioned. The referee may explain directly to involved players and may delay a restart to let captains address their teams.
  • If a goalkeeper is captain, a nominated outfield communicator must be identified no later than the pre-match coin toss. Only one of them approaches. Replace that nominee if substituted or sent off.

Optional four-metre zone

For youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football, the referee may whistle, cross arms overhead and then push open palms forwards to establish a four-metre captain-only area.

  • A single unauthorised entrant is cautioned for dissent by action.
  • If several from one team enter, caution at least one, usually the first or most aggressive, and report the group incident.
  • Captains wearing identifying armbands should keep team-mates outside the area.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Competition options are labelled separately. Check which options your competition has adopted.
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