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Memorandum 2004
Removing the Jersey While Celebrating a Goal
With the recently announced approval by the
International Football Association Board (IFAB) of a new Decision in Law
12, referees will be required, as of July 1, 2004, to caution and show the
yellow card to any player who removes their jersey as part of a goal
celebration.
Since this player behavior has been the
subject of different requirements in the past, U.S. Soccer is making
available a presentation on the topic on
http://www.ussoccer.com at by following this link -
Removalofthejerseyel.pps and on the "Instructional
& Training Materials" page of the site (since the presentation
is a large file, we recommend downloading the document to your local
drive, rather than opening it via the link). This presentation,
developed by FIFA and slightly modified by USSF, explains the new
decision and how it should be implemented. The presentation is
consistent with the "USSF Advice to Referees" provided in Memorandum
2004 on the annual Law changes.
The presentation is a colorful and
concise explanation of the following points:
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"Removing the jersey" includes
covering the head and pulling the jersey over the head as well as
complete removal of the shirt. |
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Any player or substitute on the team
celebrating a goal must be cautioned if their jersey is removed, not
just the player who scored the goal. |
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The caution is mandatory even if the
player is wearing an undershirt, including an undershirt that
appears to be an exact replica of the jersey. |
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A player whose jersey removal reveals
pictures or text on an undershirt or on the skin must be dealt with
in accordance with established guidelines based on what is revealed:
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A red card is shown if the material
is insulting, abusive, or offensive; |
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A yellow card is shown if the
material is deemed unsporting; and |
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If the material falls under neither
of these categories, the incident is reported to the competition
authority. |
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Players whose behavior stops short of
removing the jersey (as defined above) are not required to be
cautioned, but they may be cautioned if, in the opinion of the
referee, the player’s behavior results in or is a part of an
excessively delayed restart of play.
The presentation slides are accompanied
by detailed instructor notes.
Memorandum 2003
As most of you are
aware, the International Football Association Board meets annually, makes
changes to the Laws of the Game, and issues points of emphasis for referees to
follow. The United States Soccer Federation then issues an annual
Memorandum incorporating these changes and directives to referees in the
United States. Unless indicated otherwise, these changes are effective
on July 1.
Simply stated,
there are no significant changes for referees to be made aware of with the
Memorandum 2003. The change to the procedures related to the coin toss
prior to Kicks from the Penalty Mark should be duly noted. A brief
summary of the changes is as follows:
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Law 4 –
Advertising on player’s equipment is now not limited to only the jersey;
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Clarification is
provided on assistance from the Fourth Official;
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The winner of the
coin toss prior to the taking of Kicks from the Penalty Mark now has the
choice of kicking first or second;
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There are
additional instructions on how to deal with players who infringe the
provisions of Law 14;
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FIFA/USSF has
reaffirmed the decision taken with the 2002 Memorandum banning temporary
expulsions; and
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The use of
artificial surfaces will go forward and clear guidelines are being developed.
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