Question Number: 28926

Law 4 - Players Equipment 10/31/2014

RE: high school

ramon janeiro of wilmington, de usa asks...

I was watching a high school soccer game and one of the goal keepers had the same colors as the opposite team. Parents and fans asked the referee if he could have the keeper change his shirt and he said to us that he could see the difference between a field player and the opposite goal keeper (numbers on the back of the shits had different print). By not having asked the keeper to change his shirt his team had a great advantage because many passes were made to him and as a fan it was really difficult to watch the game. Is there a rule that a referee can apply to have the keeper change his shirt, or was the referee not using common sense?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ramon
There is a rule and it states that the jersey of the goalkeeper shall be distinctly different from that of any teammate or opponent, except the other goalkeeper. The shorts or pants and socks of the goalkeeper are not required to be the same color as his/her teammates.
I believe if there is any doubt the change should be made. It is one thing looking at a jersey close up and in a static position. It completely different to view it in a game situation.
Ultimately it is up to the referee to decide on the matter.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Ramon,
The goalkeeper should have had to change the jersey if the colors were exactly the same. Referee McHugh cited the correct rule which is Rule 4-1-1h-3 in the NFHS rules book, and that indicates that the goalkeepers jersey must be distinctly different from the opponents except for the goalkeeper.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The keeper must change jerseys when referee judges the jersey is not 'distinctly different.' In most cases, it is easy to decide. Checking for this should be part of every referee's pregame inspection. It is not done for the benefit of the fans, but to avoid confusion among the players and referees as to whom is the keeper entitled to handle the ball inside the penalty area.

But, when there are vastly different shades of the same color, the referee also has to be sensitive to the fact that teams will sometimes try to 'game' the referee and the opposing keeper at the last second by trying to force the keeper to change. Players are superstitious about their 'lucky jersey' and some coaches try to get in the keeper's head by disrupting their concentration. Neither is an issue when the referee has addressed the issue well before the start of the match.

Finally, in some matches, the 'clear difference' in daylight becomes 'almost the same' in twilight. Keepers may need to be asked to change their jersey at half time.