Yes, until play has restarted, unless the match has been abandoned or the referee has signalled the end of a half and left the field. After that, a restart decision cannot be changed, even if the referee realises it was wrong. Decisions on facts connected with play, such as whether a goal was scored, are final.
The deadline for changing a decision
A decision may be changed until play has restarted. Once play has restarted, a restart decision cannot be changed, even if the referee realises the original call was wrong or another match official advises a change, including one who had tried to signal it before the restart.
In practice, this is about the decision that controls how play resumes, such as a free kick, penalty kick, throw-in, corner kick, goal kick, kick-off or dropped ball. Before play restarts, the referee can still correct the call, except in the end-of-half and abandonment situations below.
When a restart decision can no longer be changed
These are the situations that decide whether a restart decision can still be changed.
| Situation | Can it be changed? |
|---|---|
| None of the three situations below applies | Yes |
| Play has restarted | No |
| The referee has signalled the end of the half and left the field | No, unless the referee left to go to the referee review area or to tell the players to return, and the incident happened before the end of the half |
| The match has been abandoned | No |
The end-of-half situation has two parts, and both must apply: the referee has signalled the end of the first or second half, including extra time, and has left the field of play.
There is also a specific exception. If the referee leaves the field at the end of a half to go to the referee review area, or to tell the players to return to the field, that does not block a change for an incident that happened before the end of the half.
Cards after play has restarted
A late card has a separate rule. Apart from the cases set out in Law 12.4 and the VAR protocol, a disciplinary sanction may only be issued after play has restarted if another match official had identified the offence and tried to communicate it to the referee before play restarted.
That permission is narrow. When a card is shown in that situation, the restart associated with that sanction does not apply. A late caution or sending-off is not the same thing as reopening the restart decision itself.
Final decisions, technology and an incapacitated referee
Decisions on facts connected with play are final, including whether a goal was scored and the result of the match. The decisions of the referee and of all other match officials must always be respected.
Competitions may use technology to help the referee make or change decisions in relation to the VAR protocol, whether the ball is in or out of play (including through goal-line technology) and offside (including through semi-automated offside technology).
If the referee is incapacitated, play may continue under the supervision of the other match officials until the ball is next out of play.
FAQ
Can a referee change a decision after play restarts?
Not if it is a restart decision. Once play has restarted, the referee may not change that decision, even after realising it was incorrect or after receiving advice from another match official.
Can a referee give a card after play has restarted?
Yes, but the route is limited. Apart from Law 12.4 and the VAR protocol, it requires another match official to have identified the offence and tried to tell the referee before the restart, and the restart linked to that sanction does not apply.
Can a goal be disallowed after the restart?
No. Once play has restarted, the decision can no longer be changed.
Are referee decisions final?
Decisions on facts connected with play are final, including whether a goal was scored and the match result. The decisions of the referee and all other match officials must always be respected.