What to do about jewelry.....

[NHRef]

... not your typical jewelry question.

There's a U18 girls team in my area that, now that I have reffed twice, seems to be determined to wear earings.

First game I was CR, first weekend of season, I noticed a nose ring in a player with less than 1 minute left, I didn't get a chance to talk with her during the last minute, I didn't feel it was worth the trouble to stop the game in the last minute for a talk. I talked with both her and the coach after the game, told them we "probably" missed it during the pre-game and she can't wear it. Both acted like they forgot as well, I figured, no harm, problem solved.

Last night I was an AR on the same team. During the pre-game with the CR we were talking about the nose ring, I brought it up just so we all would be on the watch for it. Myself and the other AR checked in this team. No jewelry to be seen on any of them. At the CR request we added to our "speach" that no jewelry is allowed, visible or not (he has seen tongue rings during games). After the pre-game we saw one of the girls putting in earings, we went over and told her to take em out. This was after the other AR prior to myself of the CR getting there, had told one girl (he knew most of them from high school) to take off the tape and take out the earring.

About 5 minutes into the game the CR stopped play and sent a player from the field for having an earing. No card, just sent her from the field and did not allow a sub for it.

My question is: Given the talking we already had done, should he have given a card?

Second question, I have to ref this team again in 2 weeks, should I say anything "extra" about the jewelry, like tell them if I see it on the field they will be cautioned? Or should I just pull the card when/if it happens?

I just can't believe the coach letting them do this after they have been warned etc.

[ref47]

when you care enough to send the very best - use the yc.

[Gary V]

Sending them off the field to remove the jewelry can be more effective than a card. After all, they can't come back until you can inspect them, which will have to be a stoppage. That might not happen for several minutes. If the team has to play short a few times, maybe the coach will wise up.

When you catch the same player a second time with jewelry, now you can card for persistent infringement. (And still send her to the sidelines to remove the item, again.)

[ref47]

ok, by the book. if on field with unauthorized equipment, advise to have it fixed by next stoppage. if not fixed, yc and send from field to fix. do not readmit until fixed - as long as it takes. do it and do it consistently and we all will benefit.

[whitehound]

ok, by the book. if on field with unauthorized equipment, advise to have it fixed by next stoppage. if not fixed, yc and send from field to fix. do not readmit until fixed - as long as it takes. do it and do it consistently and we all will benefit.
This one of the few times I would talk to them before the game to preempt a problem. Let them know what you will do if you see them with it on during the game and then do what you say.

[ref2coach]

U18! They know better! You have already been personally involved in attempting to "be nice" and pre-inform them of the consequences of their actions. They don't care.

Send them from the field to "fix" their equipment. Maybe the next 1 or 2 restarts are so "fast" you don't get the opportunity to "inspect" and bring them back on. Their coach or team mates will eventually deal with them as long as the referees just keep enforcing law 4

[nsa]

Recall last September's send-off of an El Salvadorean player for a second caution resulting from jewelry (and eventually the coach went, too).
The game was injected with some rather bizarre drama midway through the half, as midfielder Denis Alas received a second yellow card caution in the 26th minute and was ejected from the match. The ejection came during an injury stoppage for DaMarcus Beasley as the referee’s noticed that Alas was wearing a necklace. Wearing jewelry during a match is grounds for an automatic caution, a rule which was addressed by the officiating crew in the match commissioner’s meeting on Friday.

Alas, who had received a yellow card for a harsh foul on Convey in the eighth minute, was ejected from the match, prompting El Salvador head coach Juan Paredes to heatedly argue the referee’s decision. Following some vehement exchanges in front of the fourth official’s table, Paredes was ejected from the match in the 29th minute by referee Neal Brizan of Trinidad & Tobago.


I recall a G18 match where one of my ARs came to me at half-time and asked why I let a girl play with a nose stud. During pregame I had seen a "spot" bandaid. Being a gentleman :) , I did not inquire about the pimple that I presumed was being covered by the bandaid. She opted not to play the second half rather than remove the stud.

And then there's the international incident I caused because of jewelry (not quite the scale of Brizan's, but enough for me.)

[Garkbit]

Wearing jewelry during a match is grounds for an automatic caution, a rule which was addressed by the officiating crew in the match commissioner’s meeting on Friday.

This must be a local interpretation, but I can't work out how they square it with the LOAF:

1). I can't see how it could possibly be considered unsporting to wear jewelry on the field of play except when it's done with the intent to use it to hurt someone.

2). Yes, it is an infringement of the Laws, but I can't see how it can be considered persistent unless he continues to wear it after being told to take it off.

3). Wearing jewelry is not dissent in and of itself.

4). It's not delaying the restart of anything, per se, just to wear jewelry.

5). Nor is it failing to respect the distance.

6). Or entering or re-entering the field of play without permission.

7). Or leaving it either.

[ur_land]

This must be a local interpretation, but I can't work out how they square it with the LOAF

I'm not quite sure how CONCACAF/FIFA made this interpretation either, but perhaps it comes under USB, as in "bringing the game into disrepute." IIRC, that wording is in the USA ATR. Regardelss, I think that knowing each local leagues' "consequeces" for wearing jewelry is very important before the game. Know the laws and the rules, and stick to them.

[NJ Ref]

Garkbit and ur land, Wearing jewelry is dissent if, in the pregame, you requested to remove same. It is a form of dissent….express opposition through action or words. The player has expressed opposition to your request to remove the jewelry by the action of leaving the bling-bling still stuck on the body.

[10totti10]

well since someone started the topic i thought i'd ask about the rubber bracelets that are popular now...are those allowed or do they have to be removed?

[kwik1980]

well since someone started the topic i thought i'd ask about the rubber bracelets that are popular now...are those allowed or do they have to be removed?


I'd presume that those are allowed. I've seen highlights with players wearing them, and the Swedish FA launched a "kick violence out of football" campaign, with the centerpiece being pink bracelets that most, if not all top-division players wear.

[GKbenji]

I make the rubber bracelets come off. In many ways, I think they are more dangerous than, say, a choker necklace, as they tend to be loose on the wrist. Quite possible to catch a finger in while playing, and even though it's just rubber, a pinky will end up pretty mangled before the band breaks.

As usual, don't look to the pros for guidance on how to run your youth games. FIFA speaks out of both sides of their mouth on this issue, IMHO. Rubber jewelry is still jewelry.

[Gary V]

well since someone started the topic i thought i'd ask about the rubber bracelets that are popular now...are those allowed or do they have to be removed?
Are they adornment? Do they have a purpose for the game? Are they required because of religion or medical reasons?

Silicone may not be as dangerous as metal or gems, but they're not needed. They're jewerly, they come off.

[Garkbit]

In that case, what about the armbands captains wear? Or black armbands being worn in remembrance of something? Surely the same risks apply with those?

[Spaceball]

In the most recent MLS conference call notes that can be seen under topics of interest at ussoccer-data.com, they discuss jewelry. Here is the quote from US soccer in regards to the MLS:

Jewelry: The Laws of the Game state that there is to be no jewelry worn. This issue has been better than previous years; however, players are not permitted to wear the rubber wrist bands

So, although we have seen rubber bands at the MLS level, ussoccer has made it quite clear to the referees at that level these should not be acceptable. So, make the kids take them off in your games...or pros if you are doing the lower divisions.

[ur_land]

In that case, what about the armbands captains wear? Or black armbands being worn in remembrance of something? Surely the same risks apply with those?

Yes, but the captains armbands aren't there solely for adornment. There's more risk to players from opponents wearing cleats, but we allow that. We just don't allow any unnecessary adornments. Black armbands would be a judgment call by the ref. It depends (on what they were made of, how snug they were, what local competition rules were, etc.). That's why the laws include the phrase "in the judgment of the referee."

[Garkbit]

Yes, but the captains armbands aren't there solely for adornment.

Sure they are. I've refereed a lot of captains who never wore an armband. Nothing in the LOAF says they have to wear them, and why should they? Only thing the captain needs to do is (ahem) come when called so he can toss. Besides, most of them talk so much you can tell them apart without a little rubber on their arm.

[DominicanStrikeForce]

I have been in this situation many times. Because I once saw an 18 year old girl chip her tooth with the bar piece of her tongue ring (diving header) and another with a suspicious looking blood stain on her jersy (naval piercing)I give the team a warning first time. " The rules say no jewlery, so if you are wearing any in your mouth, you better keep your mouth shut the entire game."

[MidwestRef]

I make the rubber bracelets come off. In many ways, I think they are more dangerous than, say, a choker necklace, as they tend to be loose on the wrist. Quite possible to catch a finger in while playing, and even though it's just rubber, a pinky will end up pretty mangled before the band breaks.

As usual, don't look to the pros for guidance on how to run your youth games. FIFA speaks out of both sides of their mouth on this issue, IMHO. Rubber jewelry is still jewelry.

Rubber bands are jewelry. This is pretty clear in my book. Whenever I get a dirty look or a question from a player, I show them my wrists and tell them I have to take my Livestrong bracelet off as well.

The more I officiate, the more I just feel like a zero-tolerance approach on jewelry is the best approach. There is no gray area for me - rubber bracelets, rope bands, etc. are jewelry and will cause a player to leave the field to correct the problem.