A&H

religious band and arguing whether or not he can wear it

The Referee Store
There's no leeway here.

For equipment there is actually. I wrote to the IFAB about this last season - though not on religious items but on disability items and the answer was that you apply the spirit of the game clause here and make an exception to permit the item.

Though, personally I would prefer to see guidance on if there are types of items permitted for religious reasons etc - I would simply enforce the law as is unless there's a very persuasive argument otherwise.
 
For equipment there is actually. I wrote to the IFAB about this last season - though not on religious items but on disability items and the answer was that you apply the spirit of the game clause here and make an exception to permit the item.

Though, personally I would prefer to see guidance on if there are types of items permitted for religious reasons etc - I would simply enforce the law as is unless there's a very persuasive argument otherwise.
What do you mean by 'disability item'?
 
Hearing aids / cochlear implants stuff like that. - I've had referees and referees officers say that these items must not be worn in the past unfortunately.
Well those things aren't jewellery, so doesn't support your claim that there's discretion over jewellery.
Whether hearing aids are banned would come under the more subjective measure of whether it's dangerous or not FIFA have come out and said that their benefit outweighs the risk. The jewellery clause is simpler.
 
Common sense? The law is explicit. There's no leeway here.

Sure there's leeway. What if a player has a medical alert bracelet? Tape it with clear tape or wrap it securely with clear plastic wrap. Now we can debate if that should extend to religious rings, but there is some give to "no jewelry".
 
Is a medicalert bracelet jewellery, given that it's functional rather than decorative?
Given that it serves it's function just as well in the managers hand as it does on the players wrist, I'd still be asking for it to be taken off!
 
Given that it serves it's function just as well in the managers hand as it does on the players wrist, I'd still be asking for it to be taken off!
I don't agree that it serves just as well. When a player is injured (especially if it's a bad injury) shock or confusion can drive things from people's minds. If in such a situation a badly injured player were to be treated by medical personnel, either on the scene or after being transferred to hospital, without the information their MedicAlert bracelet provides, valuable time could be lost - with potentially serious consequences.

As it says on one MedicaAlert-related website:
If the medical personnel is unable to quickly locate your medical alert information they will begin treating you without any prior knowledge of your condition and/or allergies.

A person with a MedicAlert bracelet who doesn't wear it, may as well not have it at all.
 
Who do people think they are asking to be removed a perfectly safe medical device, it’s there for a reason, get over your own reasons to spoil games and concentrate on the game. Jesus wept!
 
I don't agree that it serves just as well. When a player is injured (especially if it's a bad injury) shock or confusion can drive things from people's minds. If in such a situation a badly injured player were to be treated by medical personnel, either on the scene or after being transferred to hospital, without the information their MedicAlert bracelet provides, valuable time could be lost - with potentially serious consequences.

As it says on one MedicaAlert-related website:


A person with a MedicAlert bracelet who doesn't wear it, may as well not have it at all.
Every team should have a qualified first aider/physio, and one of the duties of that role is to clearly explain what's happened/what first aid has been done. If that person isn't capable of doing the absolute minimum - shoving a bracelet into the hand of a paramedic when they turn up - then we need to be having a wider discussion about medical aid at grassroots football.
 
I agree with @GraemeS on this - the correct place for a medicalert bracelet, during a game, is with the first aider. Taping one up to render it safe on the FOP could delay treatment when required; having it to hand with the first aider would expedite. Unless of course we would also advocate asthmatics having to carry their inhalers whilst playing, or diabetics their needles...? An extreme comparison I know, but a bracelet is a bracelet. It goes.

In terms of the OP, and using the term "arguing". Don't get in to an argument. It's not up for debate. The referee's decision is final.
 
the correct place for a medicalert bracelet, during a game, is with the first aider. Taping one up to render it safe on the FOP could delay treatment when required; having it to hand with the first aider would expedite.
Our association apparently worked with a group of first responders to come up with a way to deal with these and gave us two options:
  1. special sweatbands that have the medic alert bracelet "built into" them. They are sweat bands (allowed), but the bracelet is contained within, and there's a medic alert symbol on it to tell the first responders that it is there
  2. taped securely, with the medical information side out and visible, in case of incident.
We are NOT allowed to tell them to remove them, in the name of safety.

I know that you guys are far more familiar with your own association's rules/policies than I, but it is always good to be aware that different locations treat these things differently.

But yes, religious bracelet? It's not medically required jewelry, so if I know it's there, it comes off.
 
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