Can the rules of conduct, including game time and substitutions, be altered by the referee?

The rules of conduct, including game time and substitutions, are established by the governing bodies of soccer and cannot be altered by the referee. Referees are tasked with enforcing the laws of the game as they are written. This ensures consistency and fairness in all matches. Referees do have some discretion in how they apply these rules, particularly when it comes to their enforcement, but the fundamental rules themselves regarding game time and substitutions remain fixed and cannot be modified based on personal judgment or team agreement. This structure maintains the integrity of the game and ensures that all teams adhere strictly to the same set of rules.