We have received communication recently from Ian Blanchard, Head of National Referee Development at The Football Association concerning players wearing jewellery.
We offer the following advice to referees at the grassroots level of the game.
Jewellery
In light of the recent letter sent by Neale Barry to Premier League, Football League, National Conference and to Supply League and Contributory League club secretaries and referees. I thought it an appropriate time to offer advice on the implication for grass roots football.
Of course we need to be abiding with the Laws of the Game. At a senior level I believe it is very easy to implement the removal of all jewellery however at local level I do feel we need to extol an element of common sense.
In respect of anyone wearing any item of jewellery the advice must and always will be to remove the article.
The main responsibility of a referee operating at the grass roots level is to ensure that the game takes place and that it is safe to do so. Before the game, referees should carry out an inspection of all players’ equipment. If a player is unable to remove, say a plain wedding ring, then the referee should apply a practical approach to the management of the situation. Participation and the opportunity to play football at grass roots level, provided it is safe to do so, is a fundamental responsibility of the referee.
We do not want to place our referees in a potential confrontation situation prior to the game starting over the issue of a plain wedding band.
The issue of wearing jewellery and head coverings, as part of someone's religion, has been highlighted before and we offer further advice on our website.
Ian Blanchard
Head of National Referee Development
August 2008