Question Number: 23537

Law 4 - Players Equipment 6/22/2010

RE: Rec and Select Under 13

Anna of Merced, California USA asks...

If a player, such as myself, were wearing bracelets, is it legal to tape them down with sports tape and continue to play?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

If the referee deems them unsafe...then it is. Typically we do not allow players to tape jewlrey unless for medical or religious reasons.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Short answer is NO.

Longer answer is Law 4 tells us players are not allowed to wear any jewelry. So, taped or not, you are not allowed to wear bracelets while playing. If a referee sees them, you will not be allowed to play until they are removed.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Anna
The Laws of the game forbids the wearing of jewellery and also the Laws does not allow for the taping of jewellery.
In the prematch inspection the referee will check the player's equipment and he/she will also carry out a jewellery inspection. If I find say that a player has a wrist taping and a wristband that will rarely attract my attention on safety grounds. It can be for a cut or a strain etc. If I see a cast it will. If I see say a taping around the eye, ear perhaps covering an eye stud, earring that immediately that will attract my attention and then the item is removed or the player does not play.
I know also that some referees are relaxed about the jewellery law and some will only deal with the obvious safety concerns. I suspect that if an item such as a light bracelet is well taped, perhaps covered with a taping, wrist band, jersey sleeve that it will not be come to the referee's attention. Only experience will give you that answer and if the referee asks for it to be romved then under the Law it must be.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Only if it is a medic alert bracelet in which case it must be taped so it is visible and also safe