Question Number: 20274

Law 4 - Players Equipment 10/16/2008

RE: Competitive Adult

Anthony Roque of Jacksonville, Florida USA asks...

Regarding goalkeeper uniforms: if a field player becomes the goalie, due to injury to the starter, is there an obligation to change shorts or socks colors, so as to not interfere with his own defense? Can the starting GK's uniform have the same color of shorts and socks as his own team? Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Law 4 simply says,
'? The two teams must wear colours that distinguish them from each other and also the referee and the assistant referees
? Each goalkeeper must wear colours that distinguish him from the other players, the referee and the assistant referees'

How much of the goalkeeper's uniform must be different so that it constitutes a color that distinguishes him from the other players is either left to league rules, or absent that, to the discretion of the referee.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The keeper needs to have on a shirt of some sort that clearly identifies him and he must be EASILY recognizable. Shorts and socks can be the same, in fact, I prefer the keeper wear team sock colors as this makes it easy for me to remember which team the keeper is on in case a go momentarily brain dead during a game

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

The referee must be satisfied that the keeper complies with lAW 4. A different colour jersey and a set of keeper gloves does the trick 100 times out of 100. Nothing in law stops the keeper from wearing the matching shorts and socks of their team mates. Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 35054