FIFA has decreed that all National Associations are responsible for Football (Soccer), Futsal (Indoor Soccer) and Beach Soccer in their countries.

Futsal has a long history having been invented in South America as long ago as the 1930s. Futsal is an internationally recognised sport, governed by worldwide by FIFA and in North America by CONCACAF.

CLICK HERE for a graphical explanation of futsal

There are, of course, numerous forms of five-a-side or indoor football being played throughout Europe at the present time, and the rules vary considerably from one form to another.

In Futsal, the following rules are of particular note:

1) Each team comprises 12 players. Five players may take the field at any one time, usually four outfield players and a goalkeeper, although the use of a goalkeeper is not obligatory.

2) “Flying” substitutions are used. This means that the referee does not need to stop play before a substitution can be made. In some cases, four or even five players are substituted at once.

3) Two referees (one main referee and one assistant referee) are used. These referees supervise play by running along the touchline. If there is any doubt between the two referees about a decision, the main referee’s decision is final. In most international matches, an official timekeeper is also used. All the referees used for international Futsal matches are specialized Futsal referees whose names appear on the FIFA List of Futsal Referees.

4) When the ball leaves the pitch along one of the touchlines, it is kicked in, rather than thrown in. When the ball goes out of play behind the goal line after being touched last by one of the attacking team, the goalkeeper restarts play with a throw-in, rather than a goal kick.

FIFA FUTSAL Laws of the Game
2006

FIFA FUTSAL Laws of the Game
Questions and Answers

BCSA FUTSAL Guide

BCSA FUTSAL Committee Plan
2004