what type of boots players allow to wear
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Peter Grove
RefChat Addict
In terms of the Laws of the Game, a player can wear any type of boots so long as they're not dangerous.
Some artificial turf venues do have their own regulations about what kind of footwear players can or can't use but that's up to the venue, it's not part of the laws.
one
RefChat Addict
As far as as metal studs check three things and if all pass they can wear it
1. the venue allows it as mentioned above.
2. comptition rules allow it
3. there are no sharp edges on the metal studs. Walking on concrete or hard grounds on the way to the field causes sharp edges on metal making them dangerous (also mentioned above.
1. the venue allows it as mentioned above.
2. comptition rules allow it
3. there are no sharp edges on the metal studs. Walking on concrete or hard grounds on the way to the field causes sharp edges on metal making them dangerous (also mentioned above.
Archer
🟨 C1 (BE)
Y'know, had this arise for the first time just yesterday.
We were originally on grass, but got moved onto the main pitch 3G/4G at late notice and one lad had metal studs. Fine safety-wise, BUT venue rules specifically forbade it (signs everywhere) so off he scampered to borrow some. (Worked wonders, was the home team captain and scored an absolute peach to win it 3-2 with about ten minutes to go).
Signs were similar to this, big A1 size boards (wasn't this club):
We were originally on grass, but got moved onto the main pitch 3G/4G at late notice and one lad had metal studs. Fine safety-wise, BUT venue rules specifically forbade it (signs everywhere) so off he scampered to borrow some. (Worked wonders, was the home team captain and scored an absolute peach to win it 3-2 with about ten minutes to go).
Signs were similar to this, big A1 size boards (wasn't this club):
As already suggested, metal studs are allowed so long as they are "safe".
Any studs with metal on or in them on a 3/4G astro pitch is always a no no.
one
RefChat Addict
Good question. Came up in a RA meetings. It depends what I am paid to do.
In our case the payment entails also enforcing the "ground rules" under our juristiction. So won't be stooping him per say, but won't start the game with him on and won't allow him to be substituted in o ce the game starts.
One association also required us to check every player and team official against the electronic teams sheet that they are wearing the correct number shirt / badge as well as their appearance matched the photo on the profile. Didn't like it but i had accepted the appointments under those rules so I had to do it.
Archer
🟨 C1 (BE)
I did yesterday.
Good question that. It isn't really the referee's responsibility to enforce venue regulations, it isn't forbidden by the law, and almost certainly won't be by competition rules, so that only leaves safety reasons. The venues don't ban metal studs to protect the players, rather to protect the pitch, so I'm leaning towards it not being a refereeing issue unless they deem the boots to be dangerous.
I would be leaving that down to the pitch owner/operator or home club. It'll be written into the T&C when hiring the venue whether it's down to the hiring club or whether the owner will have someone there to police it themselves. Neither party can force the referee to be the enforcer, as long as the boots are legal as per the LotG (although if it's your County FA who own the ground, good luck ever getting another Cup Final appointment from them!)
Cowboy Ref
"VAR Check!"
1. No metal studs
2. If they are wearing regular shoes but they have soccer cleats, soccer cleats are better and recommended.
3. Tennis shoes are acceptable
4. Doesn't pose a danger to other players
5. Appropriate for turf
AG:Artificial Grass FG:Firm Ground (Natural Grass)
MG:Multi-Ground (Any surface)
Peter Grove
RefChat Addict
What do you mean by "no metal studs"? Do you mean only on artificial turf?
As others have mentioned, it may be an issue for the venue administrators and it's debatable whether it's up to the referee to enforce it but metal studs are most definitely not prohibited by the Laws of the Game. In fact I used to wear metal studs quite frequently as a player, as did many others.
It would only be where (as also previously mentioned) they have become dangerous due to being scuffed up or sharpened by walking on concrete or other hard surfaces. Though having said that, I actually found that to be more a problem with nylon studs, which were more easily scuffed than metal studs, being made of softer material. Metal studs actually don't scuff up that easily, at least in my experience.
socal lurker
RefChat Addict
Under the LOTG, that is simply incorrect. It may be true under rules of competition that you play under, particularly for youth rec leagues. (I don”t recall if US high school rules prohibit metal.)
Cowboy Ref
"VAR Check!"
Well, for natural grass. Player safety when it comes to grassroots. AG allows but natural grass is a no for metal.
one
RefChat Addict
I think as aluded to in another post the problem is your earlier post
was a definitive statement and was posted that way. Only when questioned you have made it somewhat opinion based but still you are making a definitive across the board statement for everyone that "natural grass is a no for metal." If it's grass or not is irrelevant. If completion rules allow it, then it is up to the referee to decide on the day if they are safe as required by lotg.
If you think they are not safe, then fine, it is you decision for your games and you are doing your job as the referee. However what you should be telling other referees is that "I think they are not safe for natural grass but you have to make your own decision on it."
Making a sweeping and general statement like "no metal studs" or "natural grass is a no for metal" is misleading and not helpfull to newer referees who come here for advice.
Peter Grove
RefChat Addict
Not really sure what you're trying to say here but let's just be clear - there is no prohibition in the laws on metal studs at grassroots or any other level and the only issue regarding metal studs (or any kind of studs) is whether they are dangerous. And for me, the only surface on which you should use metal studs is on natural grass.
You may be getting confused with the metal studs (or cleats) designed for and used in baseball, such as the ones shown below. These would be dangerous to an opponent and I would not allow a player to wear this style of footwear to play football (soccer).
Metal studs - or more usually, metal-tipped studs, as designed for and used on football boots are not dangerous in and of themselves. They don't become dangerous unless they have been scuffed up and the edges have become sharp (which as I mentioned, doesn't really happen that often, in my experience).
Peter Grove
RefChat Addict
They don't - in fact they specifically mention them among the materials that are allowed - again with the proviso that they have not become dangerous.
Runner Ref
RefChat Addict
I don’t think they ever got officially banned. But boot manufacturers stopped making them in mid 2010’s.
Seem to remember Fergie banning them at Utd
socal lurker
RefChat Addict
Once upon a time, the laws had detailed requirements for bars. (Sadly, my old ref books all burned in the Altadena fire--not sure if that fire hit the news in the UK.) Now there are no such provisions in the laws--purely a question of the R determining they are safe.