Question Number: 15184

Law 4 - Players Equipment 4/14/2007

RE: Select Under 15

Dave Eberle of Clarkston, WA USA asks...

During equipment checks, I have been noticing a lot of players wearing earrings.

I have been telling those players that they must remove the earrings. I have been also saying that taping them is unacceptable.

I am correct in doing this, or are there some exceptions that I should be aware of?

Thank you again for promoting the game.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

You are 100% correct. Keep it up that is what you should be doing. Players are not allowed to wear any kind of jewlery, period. The only exceptions are religious garb and medical bracelets that are taped down that provide no danger to any players.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If a player presents with jewelry do not accept his/her player pass. Make him /her remove the item[s] and return for inspection. This comes from Law 4 of the html version of the Laws of the Game:

A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery).

All items of jewellery are potentially dangerous. The term ?dangerous? can sometimes be ambiguous and controversial, therefore in order to be uniform and consistent any kind of jewellery has to be forbidden.

Players are not allowed to use tape to cover jewellery. Taping jewellery is not adequate protection.

Rings, earrings, leather or rubber bands are not necessary to play and the only thing they can bring about is injury.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

Congratulations on being a ref who enforces the LOTG in this regard. Keep it up. And as noted above remember the exception regarding the medical and religious items. All the best,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Dave, in 1997 this was an issue. In 2007 it should be a non-issue as rulings from FIFA AND US Soccer have been made available to everyone involved in soccer. Ref Fleischer quotes LOTG. From the 2006 Advice To Referees On The Laws Of The Game "Players may not tape,coverup, or otherwise hide prohibited items." and "All items of jewelry are normally considered dangerous." Only exceptions are medical and religious items and even those must be made safe. Unfortunately, there are far too many referees that do not have the guts to tell players/coaches/parents that earrings must come out. Kudos to you. remember, as youth referees, our main concern is player safety.