Referees Corner With Jim Scardanas
An interesting issue has come to the fore this week from the Referees. One of our diligent men in the middle had to deal with a couple of players from one team who tried to take the field wearing full length leg skins. The Refs have received a reminder this week to ensure that all appropriate checks of playing equipment is made prior to games as per the Laws of the Game.
Having a chat again with Refs boss Jim Scardanas, he was able to outline some details in this regard. The Law book states in Law 4.5 (a) “the referee or the touch judge appointed by or under the authority of the match organiser, must inspect the players’ clothing and studs for conformity to the law”.
Jim tells me that Full Length Leg Skins are illegal and must not be worn. The Law clearly states that “any underwear worn must not go past the knees”. The relevant Law states that the referee has full authority to demand that they not be worn. Jim stated “I have checked with NSWRU about full length arm skins and they are perfectly permissible but not full length leg skins”.
The Law Book is very specific about what can occur with clothing and studs and the authority the referee has in this matter. Law 4.5 (b) states “the referee has the power to decide at any time, before or during the match, that part of a player’s clothing is dangerous or illegal. If the referee decides that clothing is dangerous or illegal the referee must order the player to remove it. The player must not take part in the match until the items of clothing are removed”. The Law goes on further Law 4.5 (c) “ if at an inspection before the match, the referee or an officially accredited touch judge tells a player that an item banned under the Law is being worn, and the player is subsequently found to be wearing that item on the playing area, that player is sent off (Red Card) for misconduct”. A penalty kick is awarded at the place where play is restarted.
So beware, It would be pretty embarrassing to be sent off because you had the wrong undies on, hey!