Question Number: 16804

Law 4 - Players Equipment 9/20/2007

RE: Under 14

vivian of saddle brook, new Jersey bergen asks...

Can girls keep there post earings in if they are covered by a band-aid. My daughter just got her ears pierced. at one game the ref. let her cover them with band-aids. next game a different ref. said he would let her play THIS TIME but next time he wont. can u please tell me if this is allowed or a power trip.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The Laws of the Game state no player is to wear anything that is dangerous to herself or another player [including any kind of jewelry]. US Soccer policy on the wearing of jewelry is this:

4.3 JEWELRY
All items of jewelry are normally considered dangerous; however, referees should consider carefully any item of clothing or jewelry that is clearly religious or medical in nature and permit it to be worn if it is not dangerous and not likely to provide the player with an unfair advantage.

Players may not tape, cover up, or otherwise hide prohibited items. The player must still be prevented from participating in the match if the prohibited item continues to be worn.

The willful refusal by a player to remove illegal equipment (including items of jewelry), having been previously warned that such equipment cannot be worn on the field yet continuing to do so, is considered unsporting behavior.

USYSA's policy on the wearing of jewelry is none may be worn save that having a religious nature or that offering medical alert information IF the referee considers it not constitute dangerous. If either of the two are worn then must be taped securely to the body [with the medical alert writing visible]

Right. Any referee allowing jewelry to be worn in the way your daughter wore it is remiss in his duty to enforce the Laws of the Game. In knowing this what you now know if you allow your daughter to participate wearing jewelry you are remiss in seeing to her safety. Another small thing, jewelry being worn under a band-aid is jewelry being worn and that is prohibited in youth leagues.

This is not a "power trip". It is a fact of life in the Game of Football [Soccer]. If you wish to compete and have fun take off the jewelry. If you wish to wear the jewelry have a seat with the other spectators and enjoy watching.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

NO NO NO!!!!!!!!! For many many years it has been the official policy of US Soccer that earrings cannot be made safe. The LOTG forbid non-medical jewelry of any kind. The official website of US Soccer answers this question on a regular basis. You as a mom would never have allowed your daughter to have her ears pierced if you had known of the dangers. Your coach and your League should be ashamed of themselves for not informing you of this. The referee that allowed your daughter to play with taped earrings simply failed in his job. He also set himself up for a nasty lawsuit were your daughter to be injured and he allowed the taped earrings. What moms around here have done is bring alcohol and sterilize the posts and ears and put the posts back in at the half.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

It is not a power trip. Although it is unfortunate your daughter decided to get her ears pierced during soccer season, a referee should be given credit for making her safety a priority by not letting her play. And, truth be told, he is also making it safer for the other players. Having an earring torn out by a ball striking one in the side of the head is bloody and painful and leaves a scar. Having someone else's earring scratch your face or your eye on a header or collision is not a laughing matter. That's why they are called accidents, and why referees do all they can to prevent them from happening. I would also submit that your daughter's earring holes will not close up in the hour she takes them out in order to play. Referees who allow players to play wearing jewelry are just asking for trouble, especially since they can make it NOT happen. So simple, you'd think.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

No, your daughter cannot wear ANY jewelery with or without tape. And your daughter should not have been allowed to play with them in "this time" either.