Question Number: 20695

Law 4 - Players Equipment 12/27/2008

Kenneth Hall of Albuquerque, New Mexico usa asks...

This question is a follow up to question 20512

I can understand the answer given as it relates to religous jewelry. Religous jewelry should be safe, taped, or removed.

I do not understand the response as it relates to medical jewelry. In the example given, it was a U12 girls game. The mother, a doctor, was on the sideline. In upper level games and high school there is generally a trainer associated with the team. This is the person who should handle emergency situations and should have knowledge of the players. The recreational adult is the one set of players that this type of jewelry may be allowed as there is generally no coach or trainer and the players may not know each other.

My understanding is that medical jewelry is there to alert responders in situations where no one can speak for you.

In my personal experience the player has had the jewelry taped, it appeared safe and I have let it continue. They have always appeared with it completely taped and I have always wondered how the reponder would know it was medical jewelry.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

USSF and FIFA have addressed this concern in general terms. They are not going to alter a sound policy just because mom happens to be a Doctor. Mom, in this case, is also correct, medic alert items are to be worn at ALL times. If they can be made safe, only a fool would disallow them. The safety of the players is our primary responsibility. We need to be able to act quickly. Plus, from a legal standpoint, an attorney would have a field day if a referee refused a child's wearing of a medic alert item and something bad happened to the child. I'm curious as to what you say when you refer to the item being completely taped. I agree that makes no sense. I have always had players tape them so part of the id is visible.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game, a US Soccer publication establishes policy regarding this matter. If you are a US Soccer referee it is necessary you follow paragraph 4.3 JEWELRY. Ref Contarino mentions the term 'made safe' in his response.

What is meant is if the dangerous religious item or medical information necklace or bracelet can be rendered 'safe' by the use of tape, change of position on the body or the like it is to be allowed. The referee should note taping over medical warnings and notices cause them to be unreadable by medical personnel and made useless. This is to be avoided at any cost! If the item, either medical or religious can not be 'made safe' it may not be word on the field during the match, in other words the player is not allowed to compete!! Again, every effort must be made to 'make safe' those items so the player may compete.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Medical bracelets need to be worn. We must do everything we can to make them safe. If any item is not able to be made safe, even religous garb, then it cannot be allowed. However it is not usually a problem to make these items safe.