Question Number: 16888

Law 4 - Players Equipment 9/25/2007

RE: Local Under 15

Vicki of Sydney, NSW Australia asks...

Hi, Just wondering if there are any rules as i cannot find any in any available constitutions in our country on whether girls have to cut their fingernails. One would think this is just a netball rule not a soccer rule, we don't play soccer with our hands unless your a goalie and even then you have gloves on. I play myself and have never in all my time playing encountered a referee who even checks fingernails?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Was there a problem regarding the length of fingernails and a referee?

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Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If the referee sonsiders the fingernails dangerous the player may not compete. Why referees do this is an unknown to me. Let the female player play with her fingernails as is and watch what happens. If she doesn't poke her opponents with the, they are not a danger. If, on the other hand, she uses them as weapons they have now become a danger and she is unsporting. Caution her and show her the yellow card, remove her from the field to correct the dangerous item. If she chooses not to play fine.

Regards,

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Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

This is up to the referee. If he/she believes that the nails are dangerous to other players, then that player may not play.

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