Eleven team officials, one of whom must be a team doctor, and nine substitute players are allowed to sit on or next to the substitutes’ bench, i.e. a total of 20 people. One of the medical staff members on the bench (doctor, physiotherapist or masseur) must be female. The names and functions of all these people must be listed on the match sheet.
During the match, substitutes are allowed to leave the technical area to warm up. The referee determines exactly where they may warm up (behind the first assistant referee or behind the advertising boards behind the goal) and how many substitutes are allowed to warm up simultaneously. In principle, three substitutes per team are allowed to warm up at the same time; however, if space so permits, the referee can allow additional substitutes from each team to warm up simultaneously in the determined area. The team fitness coach indicated on the match sheet may join the players warming up and is responsible for ensuring the referee’s instructions are respected.
The use of any electronic communication equipment and/or systems is regulated by the IFAB Laws of the Game and the relevant instructions issued. Under no circumstances may any such systems be used by teams in connection with any kind of refereeing decision or matter.
Smoking is not allowed in the technical area before, during and after matches.