Question Number: 19223

Law 4 - Players Equipment 5/29/2008

RE: Adult

C.L of Edmonton, AB Canada asks...

What is the new ruling on goalkeepers wearing hats? I just checked under "player's equipment" and there is no longer special circumstances regarding goalkeepers and hats.

I was told to take my hat off during our last game because it was considered jewelry. I asked the ref at half what the ruling on that was, he said that the special circumstance was no longer in the 2007/2008 laws of the game. I went home and check and he's right.

In my 8 or so years of keeping I can't recall a game where I haven't worn a ball cap. I have yet to injure myself or an opponent with one, and am yet to see an injury where a keeper has been wearing a ball cap.

I don't have a huge problem with this; just curious as to what FIFA's decision was behind striking that as a circumstance?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

I don't think that the actual laws of the game ever specified a cap as part of the compulsory equipment. Instead, it would be considered unsanctioned and subject to the referee's discretion on the issue of safety.

A referee may choose to allow or not to allow you to wear the hat based on safety. When I played keeper I wore it and the referee's left me alone. I've also worked with refs who ask the keeper to remove the caps no matter what. So it really comes down to referee discretion.

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Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

There isn't a "ruling". The question is whether or not the referee thinks the cap could be dangerous to the GK or to another player. If so, it can't be worn. If not, no problem. As my colleagues so often say, the referee is a match condition, just like the weather or the condition of the field - so whether or not you get to wear the cap depends on the referee.

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Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Ah the good ole days when ALL players wore hats as part of the uniform is but a distant memory now!
Modern protective equipment such as headgear, facemasks, knee and arm protectors made of soft, lightweight, padded material are not considered to be dangerous and are therefore permitted
This is stated in law, I have no idea why the hat has suddenly become jewlery if the bill is a soft brim there is no real reason other than the referee excercising his power to do so.
This is not a FIFA thing this is an EDMONTON thing! It maybe a new league policy to clear out all jewlery incidents if everything worn is deemed inapropriate but what about religious headgear?
Cheers

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The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 19772