Law 4 - Players Equipment

Basic Players Equipment

Decisions of the IFAB
Other Equipment
Jewellery
Disciplinary Sanctions

Basic Players Equipment

Players are required to wear the following separate items:
jersey or shirt if undergarments are worn, the colour of the sleeve should be the same main
colour as the sleeve of the jersey or shirt
shorts if undershorts are worn, they are of the same main colour as the shorts
stockings
shinguards
footwear
A one-piece playing suit in place of a shirt and shorts is not permitted.
If a player loses his footwear accidentally and immediately plays the ball and/or scores a goal, there is no
infringement and the goal is awarded because he lost his footwear by accident.

Colours:

each goalkeeper must wears a jersey with colours that distinguish him from the other players, the
referee and the assistant referees
all players including goalkeepers must wear a jersey with colours that distinguish them from the
referee and the assistant referees
if the jerseys of the two goalkeepers are the same colour and neither has another jersey to change
into, the referee shall allow play to begin

Decisions of the IFAB

Players must not reveal undershirts which contain slogans or advertising. The basic compulsory
equipment must not contain any political, religious or personal statements.
A player removing his jersey to reveal slogans or advertising will be sanctioned by the competition
organiser. The team of a player whose basic compulsory equipment contains political, religious or
personal slogans or statements will be sanctioned by the competition organiser or by FIFA.

Disciplinary sanctions are the responsibility of the competition organiser - the referee will include details
in the match report.
Jerseys or shirts must have sleeves.

Other equipment
A player may use equipment other than the basic equipment provided that its sole purpose is to protect
him physically and it poses no danger to him or any other player.
All items of clothing or equipment other than the basic must be inspected by the referee and determined
not to be dangerous.
If an item of clothing or equipment that has been inspected at the start of a match and determined not to
be dangerous becomes dangerous or is used in a dangerous manner during the match, its use must no
longer be allowed.
Modern protective equipment such as headgear, facemasks and knee and arm protectors made of soft,
lightweight padded material are not considered dangerous and are therefore permitted.
In view of the new technology that has made sports spectacles much safer, both for the wearer and for
other players, referees should show tolerance when authorising their use, particularly for younger players.

Jewellery

All items of jewellery (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather, rubber bands etc.) are strictly
forbidden and must be removed. Using tape to cover jewellery is not acceptable.
Referees are also prohibited from wearing jewellery (except for a watch or similar device for
timing the match)

Disciplinary Sanctions
The players are to be inspected before the match begins and substitutes before they enter the field of play.
If a player is discovered to be wearing unauthorised clothing or jewellery during play, the referee shall:
inform the player that the item in question must be removed
order the player to leave the field at the next stoppage if he is unable or unwilling to comply
caution the player if he wilfully refuses to comply or, having been told to remove the item, is
discovered to be wearing the item again
If play is stopped to caution the player, an indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team from
the position of the ball when play was stopped.*

Numbers

6.1 The numbering of the Players shall be regulated by the relevant

Competition Regulations to be issued by FIFA.
6.2 A number must appear on the back (centred) and the front (not necessarily
centred) of any shirt and on the front o f any shorts used as Playing Equipment.
This art. 6 par. 2 shall not apply to the numbering on the front of any shirt used
as Playing Equipment during Matches of the FIFA Club World Cup.
6.3 Based on the principle of light and dark contrast of used Colours and
irrespective of the prevailing conditions, such as weather and light, the Colour
used for any number appearing on Playing Equipment must be clearly legible
and distinguishable from a distance for all Players, Match Offi cials, spectators
and media from the Colours used for the respective Playing Equipment item.

This distinction may be achieved by displaying the numbers on a singlecoloured

patch. The number may be surrounded by a border or shadow
outline. A Number Zone must be created on the back of the shirt unless, in
FIFAs discretion, the number appearing is clearly legible and distinguishable
from a distance by all Players, the Match Offi cials, spectators and media, from
the Colours used for the respective Playing Equipment item. A Number Zone
may be created on the front of the shirt.
6.4 The size of the number on the back of each shirt used by Players in any
mens Match must be between 25cm and 35cm in height and positioned in the
centre of the back of the shirt.
The size of the number on the back of the shirts used by Players in any
womens Match must be between 20cm and 35cm in height.
The number must be entirely visible when the Players shirt is tucked into the
shorts.
The stroke width of the fi gure of the numbers on the back of the shirt used by
Players must be between 3cm and 5cm.
6.5 The number on the front of the shirt must be positioned at chest level. The
size of the number must be between 10cm and 15cm in height.
6.6 The number on the front of the shorts may be positioned on either leg. The
size of the number must be between 10cm and 15cm in height.
Players names
7.1 Players names must appear on the back of the shirt used as Playing
Equipment for all Matches played in Final Competitions. Players names may
appear on the back of the shirt used as Playing Equipment for all Matches
played in Preliminary Competitions and all Preliminary Olympic Matches.
In the event that a Players name appears on the back of the shirt pursuant to

this art. 7 par. 1, the terms and conditions of art. 7 par. 2-7 below shall apply.
7.2 The Players name must correspond to the name indicated on the list of
Players pursuant to the relevant Competition Regulations.
7.3 Based on the principle of light and dark contrast of used Colours and
irrespective of the prevailing conditions, such as weather and light, the Colour
used for the Players name appearing on a shirt must be clearly legible and
distinguishable by all Players, the Match Offi cials, spectators and media from
the Colours used for the shirts. This distinction may be achieved by displaying
the Players name on a single-coloured patch. The Players name may be
surrounded by a border or shadow outline.
7.4 The letters used for the Players name must be of the identical Colour as
the Colour used for the number displayed on the back of the shirt and shall
not contain any identifi cations of the Member Association, Manufacturers
Identifi cation, sponsor advertising, Decorative Elements, design features or
further elements.
7.5 The Players name must be positioned above the number on the back of
the shirt. The letters used for the Players name shall be between 5 and 7.5cm
in height and must be separated from the number by at least 4cm.
7.6 The letters used for the Players name must be in a contrasting Colour to
the Colours of the shirt and must be Latin characters. Phonological diaeresis,
such as accents or umlauts, are permitted.