Players with the same numbers.

[metalmaster]

A question for all of you experienced referres:
What is the FIFA rule regarding two or more playesr wering the same number on their yersey?
I Ref at my local AYSO and had an incident where a coach had two player with the same number, and when I asked him to place some tape on one of the numbers (in this case a #7 to make it 17 or 71, etc). he refused saying he did not have to do it, since there was nothing in the rules stating he had to.
I have to admit that when I read the book on law4, it says nothing about numbers.
Any help it's appreciated.

[dirtskier]

A question for all of you experienced referres:
What is the FIFA rule regarding two or more playesr wering the same number on their yersey?
I Ref at my local AYSO and had an incident where a coach had two player with the same number, and when I asked him to place some tape on one of the numbers (in this case a #7 to make it 17 or 71, etc). he refused saying he did not have to do it, since there was nothing in the rules stating he had to.
I have to admit that when I read the book on law4, it says nothing about numbers.
Any help it's appreciated.

yeah, FIFA never mentions numbers, only colors. You're going to have to cite individual league rules if youre coming across someone obtuse enough to not change the number.

[Garkbit]

Check your competition rules. Most of them should state "Jerseys must be numbered" or similar. If so, this counts as a breach, report to competition. If not, then caution the other number 7 on some unsuitable pretext, then as soon as the first number 7 so much as farts when you're downwind of him, give him a second yellow followed by red, then claim you were confused because they had the same number on. They should soon see the problem and will hopefully rectify it.

Warning: this doesn't work so well if one of them is four foot nothing with blond hair and a massive nose, and the other one is five foot ten with an orange ponytail, a tiny nose, and gargantuan ears.

[metalmaster]

Check your competition rules. Most of them should state "Jerseys must be numbered" or similar. If so, this counts as a breach, report to competition. If not, then caution the other number 7 on some unsuitable pretext, then as soon as the first number 7 so much as farts when you're downwind of him, give him a second yellow followed by red, then claim you were confused because they had the same number on. They should soon see the problem and will hopefully rectify it.

Warning: this doesn't work so well if one of them is four foot nothing with blond hair and a massive nose, and the other one is five foot ten with an orange ponytail, a tiny nose, and gargantuan ears.


While I like your solution, I'm not sure I would like to "punish" the player in a recreation league for the stubborness of the coach. Tempting though.

[IASocFan]

In some of the rec leagues I've played, some of the players are lucky to have the same color on - much less unique numbers. It depends on your league rules.

[Scott Zawadzki]

Remember that we are there for the players. If you have a league rule that clearly states that all players must have unique numbers and a coach refuses to comply with the league rule, play the game and write a complete incident report to the league/competition committee. Let them deal with the pigheaded coach!

[dadman]

The league my son plays in (Montgomery Soccer Incorporated) requires unique numbers and a second jersey in case of color conflicts. The referees (and coaches) would let it slide at the U-little stage, but now that they're playing U-19, they hold to the rules a little tighter. The coach is required to carry roster cards with photo IDs and the player's number to all games, and once or twice a year they'll inspect everyone. It's not unknown for some teams to field ringers (and unfortunately it's often the same teams year after year), and it often shows up with slightly-different colors and duplicate numbers.

In an early-season game last Fall, they played a team with two blank shirts and three pairs of duplicate numbers. The coach couldn't even call the players off by name to get tape numbers, as he didn't know their names. :rolleyes:

I would conclude that game management is just easier if each player has a unique number. :)

[refmike]

One season I allowed two players with the same number because the numbers were different styles and I could tell them apart. It became clear that when the opposing coach was giving instructions to his players, he could not tell them which #8 to cover. The game ended up with a protest because I allowed the violation to league rules.

Best advice is that you are in charge so don't take any guff from the coaches and require the taping of numbers as needed. You should assume that the league rules (not FIFA Laws) requires unique numbers for each player (and don't let them exchange shirts during the game).

[metalmaster]

One season I allowed two players with the same number because the numbers were different styles and I could tell them apart. It became clear that when the opposing coach was giving instructions to his players, he could not tell them which #8 to cover. The game ended up with a protest because I allowed the violation to league rules.

Best advice is that you are in charge so don't take any guff from the coaches and require the taping of numbers as needed. You should assume that the league rules (not FIFA Laws) requires unique numbers for each player (and don't let them exchange shirts during the game).


I Thank you all for your imput.
Unfortunatelly our league does not have any rules in writing regarding numbers on players shirts.

[Garkbit]

In that case, I would write to one of the league officers and politely suggest it, pointing out the possible difficulties in identifying players either with the same number, or with no numbers at all.

Failing that, you could always try shopping around for a better-organised league, if one exists.

[Bill Archer]

See, I don't post here much because I just have a completely differnt perspective.

I need the players to have unique numbers because I cannot properly fill out the game card if I have to write "#7 with the red hair, not #7 with the silver shoes" when making a notation.

If I am the referee and I tell the coach to add something to differentiate the numbers, as you say normally a numeral "1" on one side, and he starts giving me a pile of mouth about how he doesn't have to, I point out to him that #1 it's generally a really stupid idea to piss off the referee before a game even begins #2 it's hardly an unreasonable request and #3 the game is not going to begin until I am satisfied with all the arrangements.

If he wants to stomp off and find a league official, waste 20 minutes huffing and puffing and end up doing it anyway, fine. I'll find a shade tree.

"The coach won't do it" indeed. Who the hell is in charge at your games?

Like I said, I don't post here much because I don't even understand the questions.

[Garkbit]

Well, it sounds like there, you've got a competition rule. As I understand it, metalmaster doesn't, and if you don't have a competition rule concerning shirt numbering, then the existing options available to you are somewhere between 'jack' and 'sh1t' if the coach doesn't want to play nice. You can't not play a game because players have the same numbers, or no numbers at all, without a competition rule that requires them.