A tactical action consisting of pulling back all lines to take up a defensive position. Used to conserve a favourable score line that satisfies the needs of the team. Teams do not, however, always fall back into defence voluntarily.

1. Groups of people who are passionate about football and whose team colours are of vital importance to such a point that a group from the same team can gather without regard for social, cultural or economic differences. 2. A key character in the sport of football, one who generally follows and supports a club practically from infancy in a life-long love story. More than half a fans emotional life (euphoria, hate, depression, joy, hope, aggressiveness, stress, optimism, friendship, tension, appetite, memory, resentment, cardiac health, humour...) usually depends on how his team is doing in the table and, especially, on the result of the last match. There are various different types of fan, including: the dangerous fan: (see Barra Brava or Hooligan), who shouts throughout the entire match, jumping up and even throwing any object heavy enough to reach the field of play, is ready to attack anyone suspected of being a fan of the opposing team and continues his crusade after the end of the match in the streets and bars around the stadium area the purist: wears one or more garments in the colours of his team, gets to the stadium well before the start of matches, normally with his group and occupying his seat on the terraces. He jumps up and sings and cheers his team on or mocks the opposing side. His witty comments -in support or criticism of his team, players, coach or officials- would fill a book. The armchair fan: he has his own seat in the stand, wears nothing which could link him to the team and goes no farther than such comments as Shocking! or Did you see that? to the fan sitting beside him when things go wrong. These fans betray themselves when their team scores a goal, jumping up and shouting until the veins in their neck stand out for all to see.

Goal post that is furthest from the ball. Identified more easily when the attack comes from the wings or a corner kick (see near post)

An association of clubs at national level which, at international level, forms the federation of federations (FIFA). The international federation is responsible for the national team, the organisation of refereeing and international relations, amongst other things.

Metal network placed around the field of play, separating the stands from the pitch. Designed to prevent spectators from entering the playing area, fences are well over three metres in height and their meshwork is narrow enough to prevent spectators from inserting the toe of their shoes and climbing up. They are often topped by barbed wire slanted at a 45 degree angle towards the stands. There is often also a moat beside fences to increase their height, and fences are also sometimes installed to separate different sections of the terraces and stands to prevent confrontations between fans of the two teams. Fences are now becoming a thing of the past in many European countries and elsewhere in the world.

An intramuscular injury that occurs relatively frequently in overworked sports players and which consists of breakage of myofibrils. In the case of footballers, the muscles most frequently affected are, needless to say, those of the leg (adductors, quadriceps, flexors). Lack of suitable treatment or incorrect handling of such injuries can jeopardise the full recovery of the muscle affected.

Also known as the pitch, this is the flat, rectangular area on which a football match takes place. It can have a grass, gravel or earth surface, and must conform to the following dimensions: It must be a rectangle with a maximum length of 120 metres and a minimum of 90 metres, its width no greater than 90 metres and no less than 45 metres. For international matches, the pitch must not be more than 110 metres nor less than 100 metres in length, and its width must be between 64 and 75 metres. In all cases, it must be longer than it is wide. The lines marking out the pitch must not be broader than twelve centimetres and must be made in such a way as not to cause grooves or V-shaped depressions in the pitch. The two longer lines are called by- or side-lines, the shorter two goal-lines. At each corner of the pitch is a flag whose pole must not be pointed and which is a minimum of 1.50 metres high. A similar flag can also be placed on either side of the pitch to mark the centre, and must be a minimum of one metre from the by-line. A dividing line is drawn across the centre of the pitch from one by-line to the other. The central point is marked by a spot, around which is drawn a circle with a radius of 9.15 metres. At each end of the pitch, 5.5 metres from either goal-post are two lines drawn perpendicular to the goal-line to a length of 5.5 metres, joined by another line parallel to the goal-line: this is the goal area. Another line is drawn 16.5 metres from each goal-post, extending 16.5 metres into the pitch perpendicular to the goal-line, and there are also joined at either end by a line parallel to the goal-line: this is the penalty area. A mark is made here along an imaginary line perpendicular to the centre of the goal-line and eleven metres from it: this is the penalty spot. Taking this spot as the centre, an arc with a radius of 9.15 metres is drawn outside the penalty area: players must stay outside the area thus marked out while a penalty is being taken. Arcs are also drawn on the pitch from each corner: the ball must be entirely within the space marked out when a corner is taken. Goals: These are placed in the centre of each of the two goal-lines, and are formed by two vertical posts equi-distant from the corner flags, 7.32 metres apart and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar whose lower edge must be 2.44 metres from the ground. The maximum width permitted for the sides of posts and crossbar alike is twelve centimetres. The nets attached to the rear of the posts, crossbar and ground must be well-secured and not hamper the goalkeeper.

Given to a team/supporters with the best disciplinary record and behaviour over the season or during a tournament. In addition, special acts of fair play are recognised by FIFA, with the award going to an individual or a group who otherwise enjoy little share of the spotlight.

The International Federation of Professional Football Players, an umbrella organisation for local associations of footballers, players unions whose functions are often rather obscure.