is awarded against a team which 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.

Position of the ball and the players

The ball:
- is placed on the penalty mark

The player taking the penalty kick:
- is properly identified

The defending goalkeeper:
- remains on his goalline, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been kicked

The players other than the kicker are located:
- inside the field of play
- outside the penalty area
- behind the penalty mark
- at least 9.15m from the penalty mark

The referee:
- does not signal for a penalty kick to be taken until the players have taken up position in accordance with the Law
- decides when a penalty kick has been completed

Procedure:
- the player taking the penalty kicks the ball forward
- he does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player
- the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward

When a penalty kick is taken during the normal course of play, or time has been extended at half-time or full time to allow a penalty kick to be taken or retaken, a goal is awarded if, before passing between the goalposts and under the crossbar:
- the ball touches either or both of the goalposts and/or the crossbar, and/or the goalkeeper

If the referee gives the signal for a penalty kick to be taken and, before the ball is in play, one of the following situations occurs:

The player taking the penalty kick infringes the Laws of the Game:
- the referee allows the kick to proceed
- if the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken
- if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is not retaken

The goalkeeper infringes the Laws of the Game:
- the referee allows the kick to proceed
- if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded
- if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is retaken


A team-mate of the player taking the kick enters the penalty area or moves in front of or within 9.5m of the penalty mark:
- the referee allows the kick to proceed
- if the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken
- if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is not retaken

A team-mate of the goalkeeper enters the penalty area or moves in front of or within 9.15m of the penalty mark:
- the referee allows the kick to proceed
- if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded
- if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is retaken

A player of both the defending team and the attacking team infringe the Laws of the Game:
- the kick is retaken

If, after the penalty kick has been taken:

The kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:

- an indirect free-kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

The kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
- a direct free-kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

The ball is touched by an outside agent as it moves forward:
- the kick is retaken

The ball rebounds into the field of play from the goalkeeper, the crossbar or the goalposts, and is then touched by an outside agent:
- the referee stops play
- play is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where it touched the outside agent

A throw-in is a method of restarting play. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.

A throw-in is awarded:
- when the whole of the ball passes over the touchline, either on the ground or in the air
- from the point where it crossed the touchline
- to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball

At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:

- faces the field of play
- has part of each foot either on the touchline or on the ground outside the touch line
- uses both hands
- delivers the ball from behind and over his head

The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. The ball is in play immediately it enters the field of play.

Infringements/Sanctions

Throw-in taken by a player other than the goalkeeper

If, after the ball is in play, the thrower touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
- an indirect free-kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

If, after the ball is in play, the thrower deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
- a direct free-kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
- a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the throwers penalty area

Throw-in taken by the goalkeeper

If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second time (except with his hands), before it has touched another player:
- an indirect free-kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
- a direct free-kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the goalkeepers penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

- an indirect free-kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside the goalkeepers penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

If an opponent unfairly distracts or impedes the thrower:
- he is cautioned for unsporting behaviour and shown the yellow card

For any other infringement of this Law:
- the throw-in is taken by a player of the opposing team