U13’s today and during a break in play red player jogs past me and I hear his laces flapping - both boots undone. I suggest he does them up and he says no thanks, i then ask him if he wants to trip himself up and he says he’s not bothered. Blue player hearing this says “he’s a health and safety risk to me” I wave him away and we play on.
Thinking about it now should I have allowed this or said “do it now or get off my pitch”
What would you have done?
Your pitch?
If you've ever spoken to a player like that before, make sure you don't do it again. Be respectful. "My pitch" is just arrogant.
Moving forwards, pay no mind to the other player, none of his business. Having said that - I certainly don't want to be whipped by somebody's shoelaces, would you? So there is some impact on an opponent - but there's more risk to that player of being tripped by having his laces stepped on (and that might make it difficult for you - you might think it was foot-to-foot contact when it wasn't).
Also a higher risk of the boot coming.
It's a young player - at this point, hold up play, let him know that the laces need to be done up or he doesn't play - he can either quickly do them now or leave the field to do them.
Even if he protests, you should be able to manage this conversation without cards unless he starts getting smart.
If he repeats, then time to have a quick chat with the coach. And you don't need to approach it like a big issue "Coach, I know it probably seems like a little thing, but can you help me out here? I don't want to have to start making a big deal out of it, but he's likely to get tripped over, and I know they don't want to get whipped with laces or get hit in the head when his boot comes off"