Question Number: 15595

Law 4 - Players Equipment 5/25/2007

RE: Regional (Intercity) Under 13

Jack of Montreal, QC Canada asks...

Yesterday in a game I reffed, I instructed all players to remove jewelry etc. It all went well without a hitch. Then later in the match I noticed a player wearing a thin (elastic style about 1cm in width) headband... the ones used to get hair out of your face. I let it go as I did not feel it was a hazard and actually served a porpose. Well come game end the opposing coach decided to protest the whole match (cuz he lost) due to the players headband. He says players can only wear FIFA aproved head gear... would this count as FIFA approved?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The things people will come up with when results go against them ...

Could this coach please provide an example of "FIFA approved" headgear? As far as I know, FIFA have not taken the position of endorsing any products. USSF specifically has not; their instruction to referees is to determine if the product used is dangerous to the wearer or another player. Not potentially dangerous depending on how it is used, but having some dangerous quality, such as a rough edge.

It would be quite a stretch to declare a soft device used to restrain hair as inheriently dangerous.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Jack the item was looked at by the referee, found not to be dangerous and allowed to be worn. That's a fact connected with play and incontestable. Let him waste his money with a protest.

The players may any item that is not dangerous to themselves or another player. Usually they wear only what is needed to play football. Some try to wear other things and those things are subject to scrutiny by the referee, not the coach.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

What an idiotic protest. You decided the headband was not dangerous. End of story. Let him protest. It will go nowhere

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Waste of time... as Don King says "only in America" ... wait you're not writing in from America. I fear Americanism is infecting our friends to the north now.

You determined the item to be safe, thus it was allowed to be used in the match. I think this coach has got to know he's reaching on this one.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 15778