Question Number: 14939

Law 4 - Players Equipment 3/4/2007

Jonathan Gingerich of rpv, California usa asks...

This question is a follow up to question 14926

I must point out that Law 4 doesn't say one thing or the other about religious headscarves, and FIFA left it that way. Some equipment is mandatory, some prohibited, and the rest subject to the referee's and association's opinion about suitability (safety, fairness, disrepute). [14926]

It is unclear whether the referee in the incident reject the apparel for safety or because of the association rules. Quebec does not have an exception for religious items while Ontario does. But she had been allowed to play in Ontario matches.

JG

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Beg pardon Sir: Law 4 DOES mention this. It says, and I quote: A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery). AND from the IFAB meetion 3 March 2007, quote: - The wearing of a hijab is already covered by Law 4 on Players' Equipment.

What is and is not dangerous falls to the opinion of the referee.

This relates to a referee's opinion but is being turned into a racist thing. As I said, you guys can have all of it -- you can allow it or can refuse it. Me, I don't referee any more because of this very thing, no matter what the referee does in these cases, he is wrong, if it's dangerous he's a racist and if he allows it other players will demand their Mr. "T" starter kits be worn... Boatloads of Bovine Feces

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Joathan,
it was funny listening to the commentators as they discussed the issue as no one specifically mentioned anything except it was covered in law 4 as the media blip highlights. Is it allowed or is it not allowed? answer It is covered in law 4? The cultural issue religious and others either set us apart or interest us to know more given the standards of safety respect and laws be the game of soccer or life are percieved by those who wish them to be what they are!
Many associations make exceptions and allowances so do many referees. We play wheel chair soccer or handicap soccer the laws certainly do not apply in the same sense but we still consider safety. If you follow Quebec politics and the relationship with the rest of Canada they stand on the right to make their own decisions even if those decisions are disliked by the majority of the rest of the country. Telling them that Ontario says it is ok is like throwing a match on gasoline!
Have a look here perhaps the Quebec soccer Federation and others might find these less of a safety issue!http://www.thehijabshop.com/capsters/index.php
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

What follows is from US Soccer''s website . Since you are a USSF referee, these are your official guidelines. Had these guidelines been at odds with FIFA, I feel certain US Soccer would have corrected it. As I stated in my original answer, religious objects may be allowed if the competition authority is notified in advance AND the referee does not find the item dangerous. This is also true for medical ID bracelets.

Player Dress

According to Law 4, The Players' Equipment, a player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player. The basic compulsory equipment of a player is a jersey or shirt, shorts, stockings, shinguards, and footwear. There is no provision for a player to wear a skirt or similar clothing.

However, in an analogous situation, in respect of certain religions that require members to wear head coverings, the Secretary General of the United States Soccer Federation has given permission to those bound by religious law to wear such head coverings, usually a turban or yarmulke, provided the referee finds that the headgear does not pose a danger to the player wearing it, or to the other players. This principle could be extended to other clothing required of members by their religion.

Since the referee may not know all the various religious rules, players must request the variance well enough ahead of game time by notifying the league. The league will notify the state association, which will pass the information on to the state referee committee. The state referee committee will make sure that the referees working that league's matches are informed.

The referee is still bound by the requirements of Law 4 - the player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player, or use this equipment or clothing to circumvent the Laws of The Game. An example would be the use of equipment or garments to trap the ball or to distract the opponent.
May 14, 1999