Allows Replay to Assist when there is Contact between an Official and a Player or Team Bench Member
Allow the Command Centre, when requested by an official, to help determine if contact with an official and a player or team bench member was avoidable and to call an Objectionable Conduct foul if it was.
Rule 7.4 (page 58) Objectionable Conduct
Rule 10.3.1 (page 70) – Command Centre Reviews
Move where ball is placed after certain fouls and rulings in the Goal Area
The ball will be scrimmaged from the 30-yard line in the following situations
Kicked ball hitting opponent’s goal post assembly in flight
Rule 5.2.2 (page 41) – Legal Kickoff
Rule 5.3.1 (page 42 – Blocked Kick
Rule 5.4.13 (page 46) – Kicked Ball Striking Goal Post Assembly
Fumble recovery, interception or possession by ruling in own goal area
Rule 1.9.9 (page 21) – Ball Kicked out of Bounds in Own Goal Area
Rule 6.3.4c (page 48) – Offside Pass in Goal Area
Rule 6.4.14 (page 52) – Interception by Team B in Its Own Goal Area
Rule 5.1.5 (page 39) – Dribbled Ball
Rule 5.4.11 (page 45) – Onside Player
Rule 9.4.1 (page 67) – Interference on Loose Ball
The ball will be scrimmaged from the 15-yard line in the following situation
Fan interferes in pass play in opponent’s goal area
Rule 1.12.2c(ii) (page 26) – Other than Team Personnel
The ball will be scrimmaged from the 5-yard line in the following situations
Illegal touching or recovery of a loose ball in own goal area
Rule 5.1.5 (page 39) – Dribbled Ball
Rule 5.4.15 (page 46) – Kick That Fails to Cross Line of Scrimmage
Rule 9.4.1 (page 67) – Interference on Loose Ball
Penalties will be applied from the 30-yard line in the following situation
Foul with ball in own goal area after intercepting a pass
Rule 6.4.14 (page 52) – Interception by Team B in Its Own Goal Area
Penalties will be applied from the 15-yard line in the following situation
Foul with ball in goal area
Rule 5.1.7 (page 40) – Application of Penalties Rule
Rule 8.6.1 (page 64) – Foul in own Goal
Rule 8.6.2 (page 64) – Foul in Opponent’s Goal
Score a Rouge on a Kick-Off When the Ball goes through the Goal Area without being Touched
Eliminate the exception on a kick-off for a ball having to be touched in order for a rouge (single point) to be scored when the ball goes through the goal area.
Rule 3.4 (page 30) – Single Point or Rouge
Rule 5.2.2 (page 41) – Legal Kickoff
Add a Safety to the Penalty Options When the Offense Commits a Holding Foul in Its Goal Area While Having Possession of the Ball in Its Goal Area
Add the option of a safety to the current options if the offense holds in their goal area while they have possession of the ball in their goal area.
Rule 7.1.1 (page 53) - Holding
Rule 8.6.1 (page 64) – Fouls in Goal
Restrict the Defensive Formation on Field Goals and Kicked Converts
The defense can have a maximum of 6 players within 2 yards of the line of scrimmage on either side of the long snapper.
Rule 5.4.3 (page 43) – Defensive Line up Restrictions
Eliminate Number 00 as a Uniform Number
Eliminate the number 00 as a valid uniform number.
Rule 1.10.3 (page 22) – Numbering of Players
Rule 4.5.2 (page 36) – Identification & Positions
Rule 6.4.4 (page 49) – Eligibility of Receiver
NOTE: All 2023 rule changes have been printed in bold throughout the Rule Book.
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Content compiled and written by Jeff Harbin and Andre Proulx
The CFL Official Rule Book is published annually by the Canadian Football League. Any inquiries regarding the CFL Official Playing Rules may be directed to Darren Hackwood, Associate Vice-President of Officiating at dhackwood@cfl.ca. Any inquiries regarding CFL Statistical Scoring Rules may be directed to Jeff Krever, Head, CFL Player and Game Statistics at jkrever@cfl.ca.