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UPDATE:
THIS RULE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED (see
related
news)
Law
4: "The Players' Equipment"
(Jersey Sleeves)
(US
Soccer) As of July 1, 2002, The
Laws of the Game have been amended
to include a statement that "Jerseys
must have sleeves" (Law 4,
International FA Board Decision
1). Several questions have been
raised regarding the practical effects
of this change in the Law (caused
by the appearance in international
play of a national team wearing
a sleeveless uniform shirt.) In
response to the confusion about
the intent of the rule change, we
have prepared some common sense
guidelines for referees to follow.
Intent
of the Rule Change
The
requirement that "jerseys must
have sleeves" is intended to
deter player efforts to alter their
jersey in any way.
Guidelines
for Enforcing this Rule
- The
sleeve must be recognizable as
a genuine extension of the armhole
of the uniform shirt being worn
and able to perform the function
of a sleeve commonly accepted
in everyday wear.
- Players
may not alter their uniform by
cutting off the sleeve or shortening
it significantly.
- Referees
are asked to call player attention
to these requirements if uniforms
are altered, just as they would
if shirts were not tucked in or
socks not pulled up.
- Details
regarding jerseys which have no
sleeves or shortened sleeves should
be included in the referee's match
report submitted to the competition
authority. However, since
this is not a safety issue, a
team or an individual player must
not be prevented from playing
solely for this reason.
- Finally,
as a member of FIFA, we are obliged
to follow their rule changes,
however, we ask that you use common
sense and good judgement on the
application of this rule change.
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