Question Number: 35759

Law 4 - The Players Equipment 10/17/2024

RE: Recreational Adult

Euan McLean of Yellowknife, NT Canada asks...

Our Adult Rec League has proposed allowing fitbits and smart watches to be worn during marches. I disagree and believe that they are hazardous and to be considered jewelry. Should watches be considered jewelry? I have seen injuries caused by them in football and basketball.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Euan

No rule of competition, Law change can be made that is contrary to the Laws of the Game.
Law 4 tells us

** All items of jewellery (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather bands, rubber bands, etc.) are forbidden and must be removed. Using tape to cover jewellery is not permitted.**

The Law book also tells us

** The same Laws apply in every match in every confederation, country, town and village and, apart from the modifications permitted by The IFAB (see ‘General modifications’), the Laws must not be modified or changed, except with the permission of The IFAB.**

It is not possible to modify Law 4 as suggested and changes are limited mainly to the size of the pitch, goal size, ball size, number of players / substitutions, length of games, substitutions and sin bins.

Fitbit and watches are forbidden under the Laws of the Game and a referee would be expected to prevent a player from wearing same. Strict referees won’t even allow charity bands which by comparison to a watch or a fitbit is a much lesser risk!

Rather than a referee having to be an outlier in an area the local group of referees should agree collectively that the LotG is fully enforced and advise the local Rec League that it is not acceptable to propose such a change.

By the way it is what a referee says on the day that matters. If a referee in the equipment check ask that something be removed or corrected for safety reasons that is what counts. A referee can say that he follows Law 4 in the Laws of the Game period.
I heard a story recently that a referee in another region would not allow an underage player to play with micro shin pads in a travel game. He cited that the pads must be of an appropriate size to provide reasonable protection. The player had to change to bigger pads. The team was not happy citing no other referee had a problem. The referee stood by his decision saying its not happing on his “watch” and other referees can do whatever they decide.

If I was challenged by a Rec League about enforcing the Laws of the Game I would be walking away.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Euan,
interesting could it be deemed as necessary as a medical bracelet? I recently saw a match where the player wore his fitbits down near his ankle? Seemed to me that was iffy?
While it is true law changes can not be made that is contrary to the Laws of the Game.
The league should put it into their bylaws or the ROC in charge should given a firm yes or no, as to what is tolerated. It avoids the inevitable, "Well the last referee said -?
Cheers