Question Number: 18130

Law 4 - Players Equipment 12/14/2007

Melvin Hagerman of Colorado Springs, CO U.S.A. asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17883

Two thoughts on Ref Fleischer's [17883] comments to this question--one, wouldn't a team (even a youth team) have a second set of goalkeeper jerseys, even if they are T-shirts, for weather conditions (i.e. main jerseys are long sleeve, get T-shirts with short sleeves for warm-weather or vice versa)?

Second, if this happens during a game, a suggestion might be to use a pair of scissors and cut the sleeves of the long-sleeve keeper jersey to a point, say, above the elbow. This could be done during the break without using bibs or anything else.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The team is short of funds to buy extra keeper gear, and now you advocate ruining the one they have by cutting the sleeves? I think not.

I've had keepers use their team's alternate color regular jersey in hot weather. I didn't allow that when that color matched the opposition (even though they tried).

Please note that the game in question was AYSO. That means recreational play, often combined with low registration fees. The kids may only be issued one jersey each, and the goalkeeper's jersey is bought by the keeper's family or the coach. We have enough problems in rec leagues when both teams show up with the same color, and neither has alternates. We are plenty happy if the goalkeeper can be distinguished by any means. I've even had keepers that had to wear a white t-shirt collected from someone in the crowd. You do what you can to let the teams play.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

In Colorado you might get away with cutting the keeper's sleeves off but here in California there are just too many lawyers looking for work. Because of that I have lent a keeper one of my alternate referee jerseys so the law may be complied with.

The keeper wears a color that distinguishes him from the referees and the other players. If the referee is going to ignore that part of the Laws, what other things will he ignore??

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

See Question: 18202