Referee's Guide to Canada Soccer Laws of the Game 2026-27

Under Law 5 (2026/27):

• Each match is controlled by a referee with full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match.
• Decisions are made to the best of your ability according to the Laws and the spirit of the game, and are based on your opinion. You have discretion to take appropriate action within the framework of the Laws.
• Your decisions on facts connected with play, including whether a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final. The decisions of the referee and all other match officials must always be respected.
• You may not change a restart decision once play has restarted, or once you have signalled the end of a half and left the field (or abandoned the match).
• A disciplinary sanction may only be issued after play has restarted if another match official had identified and attempted to communicate the offence to you before play restarted (Law 12.4 and the VAR protocol aside).
• You act as timekeeper, keep a record of the match and provide the appropriate authorities with a match report.
• Compulsory equipment: whistle(s), watch(es), red and yellow cards, and a notebook (or other means of keeping a record).
• Under Law 5.7 a referee is not held liable for injury, property damage or other loss due to decisions taken under the Laws, including decisions about the field, the weather, abandoning a match, or removing an injured player for treatment.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 (https://www.theifab.com/laws-of-the-game-documents/).

The Laws of the Game 2026/27 let national associations such as Canada Soccer modify the following for youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football:

• size of the field of play
• size, weight and material of the ball
• width between the goalposts and height of the crossbar
• duration of the two equal halves (and of extra time)
• number of players
• use of return substitutes
• use of temporary dismissals (sin bins) for some or all cautions
• specific requirements for the captain's compulsory armband

For all levels, the number of substitutes in official competitions may be set up to five, except in youth football, where the maximum is determined by the national association. National associations also decide the age limits for youth and veterans football, and which lowest-level competitions count as grassroots.

Law 7 says the 45-minute halves may be reduced only if agreed between the referee and the two teams before the start and if the competition rules allow it.

For Canada Soccer's own referee rules: referees under 16 may officiate only in competitions for players under 16, and small-sided referees take a separate course for soccer played with fewer than 11 a side.

Sources: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Notes and modifications and Law 7 (https://www.theifab.com/laws-of-the-game-documents/); Canada Soccer Rules and Regulations, Regulations 19.2 and 19.7 (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CS_2025_RR_FINAL_EN-1.pdf).

Canada Soccer Regulation 19.5 classifies referees each year as at 1 April (the classification period runs 1 April to 31 March):

• International: referees on the FIFA List of Referees.
• National List: referees and assistant referees selected by Canada Soccer.
• Provincial Referee: includes referees who have served at a higher level.
• Regional Referee.
• District Referee: must be over 16 years of age; a District Referee has completed the Entry Level Referees Course at age 16 or over.
• Youth Referee: a District Referee aged 14 to under 16 at registration. A Youth Referee automatically becomes a District Referee on reaching 16.
• Declared non-active: referees who no longer officiate but keep their registration.

Other facts from the regulations:

• A person under 14 may not be registered as a referee.
• Referees under 16 may officiate only in competitions for players under 16.
• Your Member Association (provincial or territorial association) registers you and administers your classification. The classification level you hold is accepted by the new Member Association if you move.
• The registration period runs from 1 April (or from completing the entry level course, if later) to the following 31 March.
• There are also separate Futsal referees and Small-sided referees (for soccer played by clubs with fewer than 11 a side, excluding futsal), who take their own courses.

Source: Canada Soccer Rules and Regulations, November 2025, Regulations 19.1 to 19.5 and 19.7 (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CS_2025_RR_FINAL_EN-1.pdf).

Under Canada Soccer Regulation 19.5 and 19.6:

• Apply in writing: your Member Association must receive your request for promotion by 1 March before the season in which the promotion is sought. If you were considered but not advanced, you are automatically included in the next season's scheme unless you tell your Member Association in writing by 1 March.
• Regional and Provincial promotion is based on practical performance: marks and assessments by assessors on a minimum of three games from outdoor, 11-a-side competitions for players over 16, within a minimum of 20 qualifying games in one marking period. Marks are collected from 1 April to the last day of November. You also need a minimum of five games as an assistant referee in the promotion season.
• Also required: attend in-service training, pass a written examination set by Canada Soccer and, where Canada Soccer requires it, pass the appropriate fitness test before promotion is confirmed.
• District to Regional: you must serve at least one complete registration period or 12 months in District (whichever is shorter) and have completed at least 20 qualifying games as a referee in outdoor 11-a-side competitions for players over 16.
• Who decides: the Member Association where you live decides promotion to Regional and Provincial. Selections must be made by 15 December each year and you are notified in writing.
• National List and above: Canada Soccer selects National List officials using criteria it sets, from Provincial referees nominated by a Member Association. National List officials and above must pass a fitness test and a written exam every year before their classification is confirmed.

Source: Canada Soccer Rules and Regulations, November 2025, Regulations 19.5 and 19.6 (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CS_2025_RR_FINAL_EN-1.pdf).

On the field (Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5):

• You have authority to take disciplinary action from entering the field for the pre-match inspection until leaving it after the match, including penalties.
• You can warn, or show a yellow card (caution) or red card (sending-off), to team officials who fail to act responsibly, in the field of play and its immediate surrounds, including the technical area. If the offender cannot be identified, the senior coach present in the technical area receives the sanction.
• If a spectator's behaviour or an object thrown hits a match official, you may allow the match to continue, or stop, suspend or abandon it, depending on how serious the incident is.
• The decisions of the referee and all other match officials must always be respected.

Afterwards:

• Put the incident in your match report. It is submitted in writing to the Match Commissioner, where appointed, or as the competition regulations say.
• Clubs and leagues must take all precautions necessary to prevent players, officials and spectators from threatening or assaulting anyone at games, especially the referee and assistant referees, and are expected to provide security for players and match officials.
• In all cases of alleged physical assault, attempted assault or threatening behaviour toward a game official, the accused is suspended from all soccer activities from the date of the incident until a hearing has been held and the case decided.

Sources: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5; Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code August 2024, Articles V, XIV and XV (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2024-CSDC_Final_EN.pdf); Canada Soccer Rules and Regulations, Regulation 14.1 (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CS_2025_RR_FINAL_EN-1.pdf).

The Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code (August 2024), section 4 "Misconduct Against Match Officials" of the sanctions schedule, sets these minimum sanctions where misconduct is directed at a match official. The Code defines a match official as the referee, assistant referees, fourth official, match commissioner, referee inspector/assessor, the person in charge of safety, and other persons appointed by Canada Soccer to assume responsibility in connection with a match.

Each minimum is stated as a number of matches "or appropriate period of time":

• Unsporting conduct (offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures): a six-match suspension.
• Intimidating or threatening a match official: a ten-match suspension.
• Assaulting a match official (elbowing, punching, kicking, spitting, hitting, biting and so on): a 15-match suspension.

Fines are as set by the competition regulations. The Code says the sanctions are "but not limited to" these minimums. In cases of alleged physical assault, attempted assault or threatening behaviour toward a game official, the accused is suspended from all soccer activities from the date of the alleged incident until a hearing has been held and the case decided.

Source: Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code August 2024, Definitions, sanctions schedule section 4 and Article XV (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2024-CSDC_Final_EN.pdf).

Under the Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code (August 2024), Article XIV:

• Match report: referees must submit a match report form. Report all misconduct by players who receive a caution or are sent from the field, along with any other infractions or incidents you observe while officiating.
• Where it goes: reports are submitted in writing to the Match Commissioner, where one is appointed, or in accordance with the competition regulations.
• Other match officials: assistant referees and other officials appointed to the game report on infringements they observed. The Laws (Law 6) also require them to report serious misconduct or incidents outside the referee's view, and to tell the referee and other officials they are making that report.
• Any person: anyone who believes conduct has taken place that is incompatible with the Canada Soccer By-laws, Rules and Regulations or Code of Conduct and Ethics can file a written report to discipline@canadasoccer.com. An independent case manager assigns it, and within five days of receipt it is assigned to the appropriate judicial body.
• Who hears it: Member Associations (provincial or territorial) can deal with violations in their own clubs and competitions. Hearings involving physical contact or attempted physical contact with match officials are dealt with by a Member Association (or by Canada Soccer for professional club members).

Your report to the competition remains the first step for incidents at a match. Law 5 requires the referee to give the appropriate authorities a match report, including disciplinary action and any other incidents before, during or after the match.

Sources: Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code August 2024, Articles V, XIV and XV (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2024-CSDC_Final_EN.pdf); IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Laws 5 and 6.

Under Canada Soccer Regulation 19.9, Canada Soccer or your Member Association (provincial or territorial association), acting through its Referees' Committee, can act on your registration if you have:

1. less than proficiently applied the Laws of the Game;
2. committed a technical irregularity (for example, failing to file reports, answer correspondence or attend a hearing);
3. acted as an agent for a club or player in a transfer;
4. wilfully misstated your age or date of birth;
5. as a player or coach, broken the Laws so badly that a disciplinary committee suspended you; or
6. committed an act of misconduct under Canada Soccer or Member Association rules.

Process:

• A complaint about items 1 or 2 must come to the attention of Canada Soccer or the Member Association within 14 days of the incident to be acted on.
• The Referees' Committee must tell you the allegation and supporting facts in writing.
• You have 14 days to respond. You can deny it and give your side, admit it and make submissions, or request a personal hearing (the request must be accompanied by a $100 fee).
• Only Canada Soccer or the Member Association may act on a referee's registration. A competition or league cannot.
• A competition cannot remove or suspend you from its list on its own; that power rests with Canada Soccer or the Member Association.

Source: Canada Soccer Rules and Regulations, November 2025, Regulation 19.7 and 19.9 (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CS_2025_RR_FINAL_EN-1.pdf).

Under Law 5 (2026/27):

• Let play continue until the ball is out of play if a player is only slightly injured.
• Stop play only if a player is seriously injured, and make sure the player is removed from the field. An injured player may not be treated on the field. Where an injury stops play or delays the restart, the player must leave the field and may re-enter only one minute after play has restarted (from the touchline if the ball is in play, from any boundary line if it is out of play).
• Exceptions, where the player need not leave: a goalkeeper is injured; a goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided; players from the same team have collided; a severe injury has occurred; a player is injured by a physical offence for which the opponent is cautioned or sent off; a penalty kick has been awarded and the injured player will be the kicker.
• A bleeding player must leave the field and may re-enter only on your signal, once you are satisfied the bleeding has stopped and there is no blood on the equipment.
• If you decide to caution or send off an injured player who must leave for treatment, show the card before the player leaves.
• If play was not stopped for another reason and the injury did not result from an offence, restart with a dropped ball.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 (https://www.theifab.com/laws-of-the-game-documents/).

The Laws of the Game 2026/27 (Law 5 and the off-field treatment protocol) treat a head injury such as concussion as a severe injury. A severe injury is one of the exceptions to the rule that an injured outfield player must leave the field and may not be treated on it. The player can be treated on the field.

Concussion substitutions (competition option): competitions may allow additional permanent concussion substitutions under The IFAB's protocol. Where a competition uses it:

• Each team may use a maximum of one concussion substitute in a match.
• The player with actual or suspected concussion takes no further part in the match, including penalties (penalty shoot-out).
• The opposing team then has the option of one additional substitute.
• The referee and other match officials are not part of a team's decision on whether a player should be substituted, and must not decide whether an injury qualifies for a concussion substitute.
• Officials should support the decision of the captain, coach or medical staff that an injured player cannot continue, which may mean delaying the restart until the player has left the field.
• Officials must inform the appropriate authorities if they have concerns that a concussion substitution was made inappropriately.

The Canada Soccer referee pages do not set out a separate concussion procedure for referees, so the points above come from the IFAB Laws.

Sources: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5, Off-field treatment and assessment protocol, and Additional permanent concussion substitutions protocol (https://www.theifab.com/laws-of-the-game-documents/).