A&H

When asked to remove an item by the referee, can a player remove the item and put it in his pocket in any circumstance?

N

newref

Active Member
This may be a bit of a silly question but I wanted to get your views none the less. So when asked to remove an item by the referee, can a player remove the item and put it in his pocket in any circumstance or must he remove it off the field of play. The player is not using or wearing the item as the law forbids it, so can he just put it in his pocket and play on or must he escort the item off the pitch?
 
The Referee Store
What level and how serious? Technically, the player is supposed to leave the field to correct the equipment, but if it's simple at lower levels may be common to ignore that. Whether I make it leave the pitch instead of a pocket is going to depend on what it is--just use common sense.
 
I don't know many kit shorts that come with pockets. Best off all round if he gives it to his manager.
I've put a player's wristband in my own pocket but wouldn't recommend that as I feared it would fall out during the game.
 
For me, as a matter of Law, the referee simply has to decide whether when placed in the pocket, the item is dangerous to the player or anyone else - or not, as the case may be. For instance, is it a hard object with any sharp or protruding parts that might hurt the player if they fall on it or a small, soft object that poses no danger.

As a practical matter, I'd be more worried about the object falling out of the player's pocket so as @afronaut81 says, probably best if they give it to the manager.
 
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