Football is the most popular game in the world. It is played by two teams, each trying to get the
ball through the opponent’s goal. The football pitch, or field, is 120 yards long and 53.5 yards
wide. At each end of the field is a goal, 24 feet wide and 8 feet high.
Each team in play has 11 players: 1 goalkeeper and 10 players. The goalkeeper’s task is to
stop the ball from getting through his goal. He is the only player who is allowed to touch the
ball with his hands while it is in play. The other ten players are to do their best to get the ball
through the opponent’s goal. Apart from their hands, they may use their feet, knees, head and
chest freely to defend or attack. Their task is to get the ball to the opponent’s half of the pitch,
and kick it or head it through the opponent’s goal.
ENGLISH
A football match lasts 90 minutes, with a 15-minute break between two
45-minute halves. A referee keeps the game under strict control. He is
assisted by two linesmen on each side of the pitch. Any action against
any rule is a foul. For example, touching the ball with the hand is a foul;
attacking an opponent is a foul. When a player fouls, the referee gives the
other team a free kick or a penalty.
GRADE 7
If a player commits a serious foul, the referee shows him a yellow card as a warning. If this
player commits a second foul, the referee may show him the yellow card as a second time,
followed by a red card. This means that this player must leave the pitch immediately, and his
team must play on with only ten players.
Of the several major events on the international calendar for football, the FIFA World Cup is the
biggest. Thousands watch these matches at stadiums and millions on TV.
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