The 6th grade team I coach had a playoff game this weekend. The best player on the other team was #9. As it turns out, two of their starters were wearing #9. I pointed this out to the ref and the opposing coach before the game, that I wanted one of the players to change their jersey or use tape to alter the number. I explained that my kids are trained to communicate on defense, "I've got number 3", or "who has number 5", etc, and that having two players with the same number gives his team an unfair advantage. The opposing coach was hot, and said that no one else had a problem with this during the season. In a smarmy tone, I said that I had a problem with it and I wanted it changed. The ref immediately stepped in and order the coach to change the jerseys. Well, now that I am home looking through my rule books, I do not find ANY reference to each player having a unique jersey number. In fact, jersey numbers are not referenced at all in the LOTG or the Advice to the Ref manuel. My High School rule book does state that each teams jersey's must have a different number. If the opposing coach had whipped out his rule book and asked me to show him where it says he can't have two number 9's, he would have had me. Any comments?
Can't believe this one isn't included in the LOTG but I can't find it. Considering how players fight over #9 and #10, I can't believe number duplication hasn't happened innumerable times before. The fact that it isn't in the LOTG is hard to believe. Especially, when you consider that the LOTG does specify that thermal under shorts must be the same color as the uniform shorts. I always thought that was the most nitpicking and unnecessary rule. But the rule that a team can not score against itself on a corner or goal kick is pretty close to the top for that honor.
Actually as numbers on jerseys is not a stated requirement in FIFA or IFAB law there is no reason why the players could show up and not wear any numbers really confusing Poose's defensive strategy! ;o) Mostly a league designation about jersey numbers and to be honest I will bet not all leagues even make reference to it. It justifies the rational of asking for a players name when cautioning or sending off if numbers are not present.
Re: Re: Question About Jersey Numbers Grizz hit it on the head. Numbers are not required by the laws, but most referees will require them as an aid for identification purposes. When a roster is given to the referee, it identifies each player by number. Then we can keep our records during the game using numbers and at the end of the game use the roster. One of the duties and responsibilities of the referee is to provide the appropriate authorities with a match report which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players and/or team officials and any other incidents which occurred before, during or after the match. Given this, are we (as referees) within our rights to require numbers and to require them to be unique? In other words, I have to write a game report, therefore, I need to be able to keep your players straight, therefore, I (as the referee) insist that you have unique numbers for your players. Can we make such a statement?
I found this on the USSF web site under the Q&A about numbers... Even though this question relates to goalkeeper numbers, it pretty clearly states that the use of number, although common, is left to the discretion of the leagues, etc. My question still exists, would we as referees be within our rights to insist that numbers be unique?
Generally speaking, leagues will have a unique jersey numbers for each player as one of its rules of competition. I'm sure almost every professional league requires this. Fifa also requires this for its competitions, but it is not in TLOG. Check the local rules for uniforms. Every league that I work has a unique jersey number requirement.
Thanks for the feedback. I checked our local league rules and there IS a clause mentioning "all jerseys shall be uniquely numbered with minimum 6" numbers." I wonder how many local associations actually do address this?
I know here in eastern PA, the state association requires jersey numbers, and verifying those numbers is (at least officially) a pregame requirement for the referee. I believe that is the case with all of our surrounding states as well. Are there USSF state associations that do not require jersey numbers?
As stated by others, it's usually the state association or league that requires unique numbers. Many a game starts with the application of med tape to turn a "9" into "19" or "91". I usually make additional notes on the roster like "tall, blonde" or somesuch identifier when there are multiple uses of a number, in case I have to refer to the number again for some bookkeeping.
If that is the case, then the referee should have caught this in his pre-game check and dealt with it then. You should not have had to point it out to the coach or the referee. If this had indeed gone unquestioned for several other games as your opposing coach intimated, then there is probably a lack of communication going from the league administration to the referees. Scott
I was at a game this year where someone was playing without a number, and the ref made him return to the sideline to have med tape applied to the back of his jersey. No, this wasn't some scrawny U9 player but a former World Footballer of the Year!
Re: Re: Re: Question About Jersey Numbers If the league doesnt specifically require it you are going to alienate the teams early if you start asking them to do things "your" way. It is very frustrating for the players when the reff comes in and starts making things up as they go.
In our adult rec league, you're lucky to have one team wearing dark and the other team wearing light. Numbers? Good luck. It's up to the league or competition. Most of us are there for the exercise and fun. It's pretty low key - most of the time.
good point about many adult leagues. but thanks for starting this thread, Poose. I found it interesting
When the laws of the game were written back in 1863 numbers were not worn, and in fact did not come into common use until the 1930's. Then one team wore 1 -11, and the other 12 - 22, until it was all "uniformed". It's not in the laws of the game, but most leagues and competitions will stipulate that numbers shall be worn, and that each number worn must be different to distinguish players on the same team. (However I was once at a West Ham v. Arsenal game when the #9 for Arsenal had his shirt ripped and had to replace it, and (I presume) that the referee did not notice that the shirt he was wearing bore #9 as did the original #9 still playing! What surprises (annoys) me when I referee in the USA is that teams do not confirm to FIFA guidlines on numbering, and (depending on the competition, such as "Champions League", although not the World Cup) allow 1 through to 99. Why do teams bear 00, 01 08, 127(!) as I have seen at the USA Cup, MN. It's not "American Football"; it's "soccer". (Football).
This reminds me of a basketball team we played against in a high school rec league – the Irrationals. Their numbers included: pi, e, 1/2, 1/7, .1, square root of 3, square root of -1, i, infinity, 0, 00, etc. They were written with the symbol, but I can' figure out how to paste them here.
Jeff, Just nod and smile with regard to numbers in the US. I think part of the problem here is that clubs will buy a boatload of shirts and have them numbered consecutively. There's a club I used to play for where we had 5 U-13 teams. My team got shirts that had numbers starting in the mid 30s. In this situation it makes is easier to shift players from team to team without having to give a kid a shirt so his number fits. With regard to tradition, it makes no sense, but to the club president that needs 100 shirts, it does. I've seen plenty of players in Europe with odd squad numbers though since leagues started requiring this, especially in Serie A. I think in the states your number is a sign of individuality too, so in the case where a kid can pick a number, he'll pick one that he identifies with. That's just my take though.
On one team, I aw the 'numbers' pi, infinity and the square root of -1! AMERICA!!!! GOTTA LOVE IT! Scott
Re: Re: Question About Jersey Numbers I know the LOTG say that each team has to wear a shirt, but I'm sure I'll be faced with the prospect of a men's team wanting to play a league match shirts v. skins. Perhaps I'll alow it if each player on the skins Sharpies a number on his back.
I also remember doing a 3v3 tournament one summer where one girls team wore matching sport bras. No, I didn't have any problem with it.
as i remember Celtic used to be fined at the start of each season because they refused to wear numbers on the back of shirts (they had them on their shorts) but were then foced to put them on the back a few seasons ago so the ref could identify easier who was who (fouling ,handballs,etc.).
Yes, that sounds about right. I believe that it was the threat of not playing in European football, and abiding by UEFA rules that finally made them put the "big numbers" from the shorts to the shirts.
irrational But 1/2, 1/7 and 0 are rational numbers. I guess they were irrational in another sense too.