Question Number: 24505

Law 4 - Players Equipment 1/20/2011

RE: Comp Adult

Phil Wearmouth of Sydney, NSW Australia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24481

I suppose the next question is 'Why does a shirt have to tucked into the shorts?'.
Here in Australia we have some refs who insist and some who let it be. Given that the temperature can be quite hot when we play, surely the comfort (& safety) of the players is paramount and not a ridiculous by-law?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
The answer can be found in the history of the Game and the legacy of that history remains with some.
At one time in the game, how players and officials presented themselves was enshrined in the Laws and regulations. For instance referees wore shirts and blazers during the game and this can be seen in many old photos. Without that discipline I suppose the Associations and law makers felt that a free for all would allow all sorts including different colour socks, shorts, etc and that teams would be poorly presented. Indeed FIFA has been concerned about this in recent times also with the introduction of the different coloured undershorts law, rubber charity bands etc . The referee's role is to implement the Laws as laid down by IFAB.
The present Laws makes no provision for the tucked in shirt and it is up to each individual referee to manage players' equipment under Law 4 as he/she sees appropriate. I suspect that older referees have operated this way over many years and see little need to change. Young referees would not even be aware of this except perhaps for those in the US where the Federation has it included in its ATR. I'm not sure if it given as advice in Australia?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Phil.It gets quite hot here in Georgia too. I fail to see how tucking one's shirttail in makes one less safe due to heat or more comfortable for that matter. Personally, I'm much more comfortable with my shirt tucked in and doubt seriously taking it out would make me any safer.

From a practical standpoint, it the shirttail is out, it's much easier for an opponent to grab it than if it's in. American pointy ball jerseys are so tight they can't be worn as street clothes. This tightness makes it very difficult for an opponent to grab hold of it and bring them down. They'd scoff at the idea of a jersey flapping in the wind would make them more comfortable and safe.