THE LAWS VS RULES

Silica, alumina, lime, iron oxide and magnesia (and sometimes clay/mortar) are components that make up a brick. Bricks are used to build buildings. Depending on the durability , reliability and strength of the components along with other construction materials, will determine the longevity and servitude of the building in years to come.

This concept is analogical for Laws and rules. Rules are the bricks and Laws are the buildings. If the rules aren't reliable, durable and strong along with other vital building materials, the Laws will be feeble and things will fall out as orderliness will be diminished. From another perspective if the rules are set up as Laws to regulate, the fashion of things will either slowly or rapidly deteriorate depending on the source of the rules. Soccer (and Rugby) are the only sports in the world that are governed by Laws compared to other sports that are regulated by rules. This is important to point out because a lot of people wonder why soccer has the most passionate fans/supporters around the world. Well it's quite simple. Imagine a police officer who is an enforcer and direct representation of the Law as we know it scorning the judicial system by being partial in his/her dealings when a situation occurs. The individuals or citizens involved will be furious because basic rights have been violated. Now instead of justice swaying in the right direction , its in the wrong from partiality with the innocent individuals about to pay the price of prejudice or in this case, should I say corruption with bystanders looking on into the situation as the culprits walk away unpunished. And most of the time the ones more furious with the situation are the bystanders because they more than likely saw the whole thing before "Law Enforcement" even arrived on the scene.

This is very similar when it comes to the officials/referees of soccer (Law enforcers) and the players (citizens). One missed call, misjudgement or an unseen reprimanding action of any play is like violating the rights of the player(s) and in contempt of the Law withe fans (the bystanders) watching on from the very second the whistle blows. Thank God for VAR (Video Assistant referee). Now let's get to the heart of the matter.

Do rules and laws have the same meaning when you talk about an activity like a game/sport? "Rules of the game" is a "set phrase" in English, often used as a metaphor -- e.g, someone may apply the phrase to romance. As stated below, "law" implies a stricter, more formal restriction than does a "rule", though there's no strict "test" as to when one should be applied vs the other (except that, of course, governmental edicted rules are almost always called "laws").

The Latin word for "rule" is "regula" which translate to "model", "pattern", "principle" or "example".

The Latin word for "law" is "legitima" which translate to " right", "just", "proper", "appropriate".

In other words "rules" are 'models or patterns of fundamental basis/truth that provide the foundation of a system". "Laws" are "a collection of fundamental basis that governs the the actions of its members and may enforce by the imposition of penalties." Once again ... Bricks ... Houses. Look at it like this; rules are "good" but Laws are "right". McDonald's taste "good" but is it "right" for you!.

It's very important to state these things because its affecting not just soccer on a national basis especially on the youth level because the 17 Laws of the Game are not being taught or properly presented to the youth, but it's also affecting out society as we know it. Rules are meant to be broken but you can't break the LAW without stern consequences that follow. You get sent to the "Principal's/Principle" office when you break the rules but the police is alerted when you break the Law. So what are we doing in order to teach the children what is actually right on and off the field because not everything that looks or feel good is right. Morality is key here.

Rules carry lower consequences than a Laws and can be agreed and adjusted by concerned parties. Laws are like legal versions of rules. As the rules which are enforceable fall under the definition of Law, "enforce the laws of the game" was used in that sentence. These laws in professional sport are enforceable and players must follow them. While each is developed to invoke a sense of order, fair play, and safety, the weight of a Law is much heavier than the weight of a rule. When you are a child, a parent sets rules to be followed. When you are in a society, the government sets laws to be followed. When a rule is broken, the consequences tend to be uncomfortable but mild in comparison to the breaking of a Law. Society needs to embrace the Laws more than rules that can be broken very easily.

For sports, the choice between "laws" and "rules" is essentially a fairly arbitrary one made by that sport's governing body in the dim and distant past. Again, Rugby and Soccer have "laws", but Golf and Tennis have "rules". Rugby union and the FA (Football Association) and FIFA (federation of International Football Association) is governed by Laws and not rules. Just go to any where in the UK and say rugby or football rules and you will immediately be corrected. How come United States seems to be the only nation out of the 211 nations that play this sport refer to it by rules and not Laws, and local soccer associations/organizations are making even more generic rules to further depreciate the value and well-being of the Laws of The Game. This needs to be addressed on the highest level because its one of the main reasons why U.S. youth soccer is lagging behind on a global scale. The bricks in use to build the foundation of local youth soccer is feeble and needs some reconstruction.

This why we need your help and support to get committed and dedicated parents and coaches to end this ruse and acquire new tools to build a new foundation based of FIFA LAWS and not generic rules. THE FUTURE (THE CHILDREN) COUNTS ON YOU! NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO MAKE A MOVE!

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