Players' Clothing
Defines what players must wear, what is permitted, and what is prohibited.
Every player wears a jersey, shorts, underwear, socks, and boots. The jersey sleeve must reach at least halfway from the shoulder to the elbow.
Players are allowed to wear a range of protective gear: shin guards, headgear, mouth guards, shoulder pads, ankle supports, bandages, and goggles. Player monitoring devices (like GPS trackers) are also permitted.
However, some items are strictly forbidden: jewellery of any kind, gloves, communication devices, and anything sharp or abrasive that could injure another player. If a referee spots illegal or dangerous clothing during the match, they will order the player to remove it — and if that item was flagged before the match and the player is still found wearing it on the field, they can be sent off for misconduct.
Real-World Examples
Scenario
During a match the referee notices a player wearing a ring on their finger.
Outcome
Jewellery is prohibited under Law 4.4(d). The referee orders the player to remove the ring. The player cannot return to play until the ring is removed or taped over to be rendered harmless.
Scenario
A player's jersey is cut during a tackle and becomes bloodstained. The player wants to leave the field to change.
Outcome
This is one of the few circumstances where a player may leave to change clothing. Bloodstained clothing must be changed (Law 4.7), so the player is permitted to leave and change before returning.
Scenario
A match official inspects a player's headgear before the match and warns them that the metal clips holding it are not permitted. The player removes the headgear but then puts it back on before kick-off and is seen wearing it on the field.
Outcome
The player is sent off for misconduct under Law 4.6 — they were explicitly warned before the match and continued to wear a prohibited item.