Like all the Laws of the Game, Law four- players Equipment, has changed and expanded over the years. Law four applies to all equipment including clothing worn by players, substitutes, substituted players and even refers to their underwear.
Five things are listed as compulsory. First a shirt with sleeves. But any undervest sleeves must be the same colour as the shirt sleeves if longer than the shirt sleeves. Goalkeepers can wear track suits, but all other players must wear shorts.
This I feel may be changed, I have mentioned before when I allowed some Muslim girls, who, mindful of their religion, turned up to play in a ESFA cup tie wearing long trousers the same colour as their teammates.
I also referred recently to the fact that more Muslim nations are allowing women to play football so this rule may become an issue.
Any under-shorts/tights must be the same colour of the shorts.
This was introduced when there was a fashion for knee length ‘Bicycle’ lycra shorts, but these are seldom seen today and yet fourth officials still ask substitutes to lift their shorts to check the colour of their pants.
Socks are also compulsory with the stipulation that tape or any material applied or worn over the socks must be the colour as that part of the sock it covers.
The idea is that when two opposing players are in close contention the referee is able to tell which leg is which, but you will see Premier League players defy this ruling by wearing ankle socks of a different colour over their main socks without any comment.
Another compulsory item is footwear. No type mentioned but players must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous.
This incidentally includes jewellery so it’s surprising to see Premier League players entering the field of play wearing necklaces.
At the moment, the biggest bone of contention for referees is the shin bone.
The remaining compulsory piece of equipment is shinguards, which the law says must be made of a suitable material to provide reasonable protection and covered by the socks.
However, some Premier League players have taken to wearing socks that cover only their ankles, a trend spreading to local and women footballers.
One local referee challenged a player with socks around his ankles who produced a slim piece of material from his sock. But is this a shin guard, and how can a referee now judge what is ‘reasonable protection’? Clarification needed I feel.
By Dick Sawdon Smith
