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More precisely, how do each of us referees interpret the chapter that reads as follows
"A PLAYER MUST NOT USE EQUIPMENT OR WEAR ANYTHING WHICH IS DANGEROUS TO HIMSELF OR ANOTHER PLAYER (INCLUDING ANY KIND OF JEWELLERY)".
A pretty straightforward sentence one would think? But sadly you might need to think again. I guess, to start the debate, let's take a view from the side of the fence of the majority, notably the football supporter, players and club officials. To qualify myself, I am therefore referring to the majority of people involved in the sport. You know the ones that have never been near the "LOAF", except the one that sandwiches are made from. Also meaning that referees constitute the minority, albeit they adhere to and enforce the laws.....or do they?
To set the scene, the television is on and what with English clubs acceptance back into Europe there is a game being broadcasted of an English club versus a side from "continental" Europe. Nothing untoward as the teams as now seems the protocol, line up before the start of the match, to listen to some form of anthem. The new age camera man has the zoom lens, which appears to the viewers, to be right up the nose of each player, as he moves along the players line up. He is almost close
enough to see the acne on some of today's most gifted youngsters, not that anyone is really interested in that. What the magic lens does pick out and in its splendour, is the jewelry cabinet of some players. Fair to say it's not all players and even more pleasing these days, very few if any of English club's players. But on the opposing sides line up, there is an array of the basic studs, crosses and various other designs
of earrings. In order to match the "outfit", necklaces of varying thickness and value decorate the player's necks, invariably on show to the cameras and any potential buyers!!
Not a word is mentioned by any of the match officials as these ornately decorated stars of football parade their skills and valuable jewelry in front of the millions. It's possible that pre match chats between officials and players takes on a different dimension, or does it? Now, having seen what can be permissable or acceptable at the top, we return to the grass roots world of most of us. It would not be easy enforcing a law that may not apply throughout the footballing industry. Well maybe we're not expected to do anything more than interpret the laws as we read them, which assuming that is how our colleagues at the top do it, means jewelry is okay some days and not the next, depending on whether there is an "R" in the month, or perhaps the wind is blowing from the East. Sadly, the fact is that there appears to be a scope for misinterpretation, that it is no wonder some players accuse us of lack of consistency. Already, I sense some of you still reading the article are agreeing with scenarios where you have told players to remove jewelry, knowing that the previous week, one of your colleagues had obviously not taken the same stance, as confirmed by the open mouthed stare of the guilty player. "What you mean I aftoo take it awf ref, I never add to before".
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