Question Number: 16884

Law 4 - Players Equipment 9/24/2007

RE: Seledt, comp

Steve Caldwell of San Jose, CA USA asks...

What is the rule on players wearing corrective lenses? Does the coach have to sign the referee card acknowledging that the player is wearing them? What is the issue? Is it liability?

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

Law 3 is our resource regarding player equipment. Does the wearing of corrective lenses represent a danger to the player or to other players? My opinion is that it does not. But that's me. A person wearing corrective lenses could be walking down the street and a loose ball from a neighborhood basketball game could bounce up and hit them in the face.... that's just the tough breaks of life....

There are three different "governing" associations regarding the game of soccer in the US: NISOA (not affiliated with FIFA); NFHS (not affiliated with FIFA); and USSF (affiliated with FIFA, etc.) -- along with the miriad of affiliated youth /recreation programs. All of whom seem to have their own opinion regarding allowable equipment. It gets very confusing after awhile and would sure be nice to be able to go to a single ruling on the matter.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

There are still a few referees out there that think it is more dangerous to wear glasses than to be able to see. Me, I want the players to be able to see. Final authority is the referee and if he/she thinks glasses are dangerous, that player will not be allowed to play with them. One would think with the advent of sports specs Leagues would require them but we can't even get League's to tell girls they can't wear earrings!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

There is no rule on players wearing corrective lenses. The coach doesn't have to sign a release. The issue is in the referee's head. He believes so.

A player is not to wear anything dangerous to him self or another player. Spectacles can be dangerous. Not wearing spectacles and having impaired vision is also dangerous. Sport spectacles are best, then impact resistant street glasses. The problem is all can break and injure the eye and that is never a good thing.

Regards,