Question Number: 15142

Law 4 - Players Equipment 4/9/2007

RE: Select Under 16

Gary of Austin, Texas USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 14152

Is there any rule restricting shoe polish or other substance that could be applied to a shoe? Such as a sticky substance or even a thick polish that would come off on the ball?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

No there's nothing written in the Laws regarding this. The Laws understand no one in his right mind would do such a thing. Footballers are gentlemen and gentlemen don't do these things.

If you are asking then you are considering it or a referee ans told you something to lead you to believe there is such a thing written.

If a player feels the need to polish his boots before a match, he does. I did and my boots lasted quite a while. If I did this to harm another player, improve ball control or mark up the ball I should have been banned from competition.

Read other questions answered by Referee Chuck Fleischer

View Referee Chuck Fleischer profile

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

No such provision is written into the laws of the game. I would have to say this is quite an imaginative question. I am curious to know what made you think of it.

Read other questions answered by Referee Steve Montanino

View Referee Steve Montanino profile

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Why would you want the ball to stick to the shoe? I polish and shine my shoes before each assignment and wouldn't dream of having a sticky substance. This would inhibit the players ability to kick the ball!

Read other questions answered by Referee Keith Contarino

View Referee Keith Contarino profile

Ask a Follow Up Question to Q# 15142
Read other Q & A regarding Law 4 - Players Equipment

Soccer Referee Extras: Did you Ask the Ref? Find your answer here.

Enter Question Number

If you received a response regarding a submitted question enter your question number above to find the answer

Offside Question?
Offside Explained by Chuck Fleischer & Richard Dawson, Former & Current Editor of AskTheRef

This web site and the answers to these questions are not sanctioned by or affiliated with any governing body of soccer. The free opinions expressed on this site should not be considered official interpretations of the Laws of the Game and are merely opinions of AskTheRef and our panel members. If you need an official ruling you should contact your state or local representative through your club or league. On AskTheRef your questions are answered by a panel of licensed referees. See Meet The Ref for details about our panel members. While there is no charge for asking the questions, donation to maintain the site ar

e welcomed! <>