Question Number: 16407

Law 4 - Players Equipment 8/23/2007

RE: Rec Under 7

David Farnan of Fair Oaks, CA USA asks...

If a young player is on a break-away, he's dribbling with only the goalie in front of him and his shoe comes off what would the proper action be for the referee?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The player may continue for a short while with his shoe off. If he distributes the ball or takes a shot in that time, all is OK. He must then retrieve his shoe and put it on before resuming play.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Allow play to continue. The player must then retrieve his show and place it back on after the play is over.

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

Hope he doesn't step on a bee before taking his shot on goal!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The question should be why did the shoe come off, not if it comes off. If the shoe comes off because of issues brought about by an opponent, a trip or the attempt to trip or a kick or the attempt to kick, the referee should not be concerned about the player playing without footwear but whether or not advantage is present!

If the shoe came off as a result of not being tied properly the referee must be concerned as to why it came off from just running. Was this the fault of the referee not checking the player's equipment or the shoe just coming untied at an inopportune moment. If the referee had previously mentioned this to the player and the player had neglected to correct his equipment then there are other issues at hand.

1. Does this constitute a danger to other players, if so play is stopped, the negligent player is caution for unsporting behaviour and asked to leave the field to correct his equipment.

2. If there is no danger the referee will allow play to continue until the next natural stoppage and then caution the negligent player for unsporting behaviour and ask him to leave the field to correct his equipment.

Again, if the shoe was helped off we'll let the player correct his equipment as soon as possible. The other eventuality was recommended to me by a former FIFA Referee, Instructor and Assessor when I allowed a flying, improperly tied shoe, to be worn beyond the second time it flew into the air. This was an unresolved danger to other players. It should have been corrected by the player after the first incident. When the player demonstrated his neglect I should have dealt with it harshly to send a message to the other 32 players.

By the way, this was recommended to be done at the U-12 recreational level of competition!!

Regards,