Football is a sport in which players primarily use their feet to control and manoeuvre the ball, with two teams engaging in offensive and defensive play against one another on a rectangular pitch in accordance with specific rules. Owing to its highly competitive nature, varied tactics and large number of participants, football is often referred to as 'the world's number one sport'.
Modern football originated in Britain, with its predecessor tracing back to the ancient Chinese ball game 'Cuju', played in Linzi, Shandong (now Zibo). It was later transmitted from China to Europe via the Arabs, gradually evolving into the modern game. In 1848, the first written set of rules in the history of football, the 'Cambridge Rules', was established. On 26 October 1863, the world's first football association was established in England, standardising the rules of the game. In 1872, the first official international match between associations took place between England and Scotland. In 1900, football was included as an official event at the second Summer Olympic Games. Globally, the sport is widely known as 'Football', with only a very small number of countries, such as the United States, referring to it as 'Soccer', whilst 'Football' in the United States and Canada refers to American football.
The governing body of football is the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), founded in 1904 and headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. The governing body in China is the Chinese Football Association, established in Beijing on 3 January 1955.
Match Ball
The match ball shall be spherical, with an outer surface made of leather or other authorised materials. The materials used in the manufacture of the ball shall be determined from time to time by the International Football Association Board; any authorised materials must be approved by the International Football Association Board. No materials that may cause injury to players shall be used in the construction of the ball.
The circumference of the ball shall not exceed 71 centimetres nor be less than 68 centimetres. The weight of the ball at the start of the match shall not exceed 453 grams nor be less than 396 grams. When inflated, the pressure shall be equivalent to 0.6–1.1 atmospheres (at sea level), i.e. equivalent to 600–1,100 grams per square centimetre. During the match, the match ball shall not be replaced without the referee's permission.
Match Pitch
1. Pitch Dimensions: The pitch shall be rectangular, with a length not exceeding 120 metres nor less than 90 metres, and a width not exceeding 90 metres nor less than 45 metres (for international matches, the length shall not exceed 110 metres nor be less than 100 metres, and the width shall not exceed 75 metres nor be less than 64 metres). In all cases, the length must exceed the width.
2. Markings: The playing field shall be marked with clear lines in accordance with the plan; the width of the lines shall not exceed 12 centimetres, and they shall not be marked as 'V'-shaped grooves. The two longer lines are called touchlines, and the shorter ones are called goal lines. A line running across the centre of the field is called the halfway line. A distinct mark shall be made at the centre of the field, and a circle with a radius of 9.15 metres, centred on this point, shall be drawn; this is called the centre circle. A flat-topped flagpole, no less than 1.50 metres high, shall be erected at each corner of the pitch, with a small flag attached to it; a similar flag and flagpole may each be erected on either side of the pitch, at least 1 metre outside the touchline directly opposite the centre line.
3. Goal Area: On the goal line at each end of the playing field, 5.50 metres from the inside of the goalposts, a line 5.50 metres long and perpendicular to the goal line shall be drawn towards the centre of the field; one end of this line shall join the goal line, whilst the other end shall be connected by a line running parallel to the goal line. The area bounded by these three lines and the goal line is known as the goal area.
4. Penalty area: On the goal line at each end of the playing field, 16.50 metres from the inside of the goalposts, a line 16.50 metres long and perpendicular to the goal line shall be drawn towards the centre of the field; one end shall join the goal line, and the other end shall be connected by a line parallel to the goal line. the area enclosed by these three lines and the goal line is known as the penalty area. A clear mark shall be made at a distance of 11 metres from the midpoint of each goal line, measured vertically towards the centre of the pitch; this is known as the penalty mark. With the penalty mark as the centre and a radius of 9.15 metres, an arc shall be drawn outside the penalty area; this is known as the penalty arc.
5. Corner area: With the point where the touchline and goal line intersect as the centre, and a radius of 1 metre, a quarter-circle shall be drawn inwards from each side; the area enclosed by this arc is known as the corner area.
6. Goals: The goals shall be situated at the centre of each goal line and shall consist of two upright posts, 7.32 metres apart and equidistant from the western corner flag, joined by a horizontal crossbar with its lower edge 2.44 metres above the ground. For safety reasons, whether fixed or portable, the goals must be securely anchored to the ground. The width and thickness of the goalposts and crossbar shall be symmetrical and equal, and shall not exceed 12 centimetres. The goal net shall be attached to the goalposts and crossbar at the rear of the goal and to the ground. The goal net shall be suitably supported to allow the goalkeeper sufficient room for movement; the net may be made of hemp, jute or nylon. Nylon cord may be used, but it must not be finer than hemp or jute cord.
