What's a snood, and why is FIFA banning them?

Is it the incredibly popular video game from Dave Dobson?

Is it the female headgear shown at right?

Or could it be as shown here ... a neck warmer that some players are making very fashionable these days?








Apparently "snoods", as they are incorrectly called, unless someone has a registered trademark on them, recently became popular in the Premier League this season, with Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez and Arsenal forward Samir Nasri among the fashion leaders. We have seen them before though with Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Brazil defender Daniel Alves at the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa wearing them.

So what's the big deal you may ask?

Well, in a previous post (To bead, or not to bead, that was the question), we asked a similar question about hair adornments. In that case, we came to the conclusion that such were not dangerous to that player or another, so players were allowed to wear them ... at the international level.

I will not debate the wisdom here of why they should not be worn at other levels, other than to say it sends a mixed message.

Snoods however mat be different indeed. FIFA is considering a snood ban, and for good reason. They are dangerous! Imagine a player accident or not, getting hold of a snood and giving it a good yank. Yipes!

FIFA while inconsistent in their application of what is safe, and what is not (what makes a gold chain more safe than a snood?), should ban the snood as it is clearly unsafe, and has the secondary benefit to have it banned through all levels of soccer so referees don't have to deal with such adornments on a case by case basis.

No Snood Says FIFA

Matt Reis 26-MAR-2011 v. DC United
Check out the snood

Special thanks to Dr. Rice for sending some of these links along.

So back in February of this year, I opined about "snoods" and why FIFA may be banning them.

Well FIFA has come through and is officially banning the snood as reported here from ESPN on a litany of matters IFAB is currently tinkering with.

Apparently this topic is so emotional that Sepp has hearkened back to his days as a player stating that:

I was a player in both winter and summer weather and I never wore a snood.

He continues on to say that snoods can be dangerous, and are not "part of the equipment" for playing. I agree on both fronts there. Law 4 is very clear on that point, and snoods can create a genuine danger, and should be banned.

Sepp does continue saying "We must pay attention to the Laws of the Game." Well frankly, its not a law yet, and is one that will not be "on the books" as it were until July 1, 2011 when the new law changes are published and given effect internationally. However the timing is funny as a commentator from The Soccer Insiders put it:

By the way, as proof that Sepp likes to make meaningless gestures, the ban doesn't take effect until July 1st of 2011. Yeah, that's right. The middle of summer.

Not intentional, but certainly ironic.

I would be surprised if MLS does not take immediate action themselves and not allow such garments, even absent authorization, or possibly with permission, from FIFA.

While this is good in protecting players safety, what about banning neck chains and the like? These too send the wrong message to the youth players who weekend after weekend try to wear such articles and often cite "... but I saw (MLS player X) wearing that ... ."

While not realistic I know, I would love to see consistency like this for all levels of THE game.

... and while we're on Law 4

So yesterday we asked the question about the use of helmets and the effect of Law 4 on them in, "Soccer is bad for your health?"

Well here is a twist on this question ... can a referee wear a helmet if they want to? Or for that matter other equipment that may be dangerous to another? How about hats or long pants?

The answer dear friends, is no. And it's even in the LOTG.

First, take a look at my previous post of "What's a snood, and why is FIFA banning them?" Pretty straight forward, yes?

Now, please take a look at "Snood, You Lose", from HK Referee, and we are treated to pictures of FIFA referees, yes FIFA referees, wearing snoods.

Now, besides the fact that they look silly on a referee, why not wear them if practical you may ask?

Well first, it immediately sets up a "do as I say, not as I do" paradox between the players and referee. After all, why shouldn't the referee follow the LOTG as well? After all, they are responsible for enforcing them.

A better answer is actually in the LOTG itself. Take a look at the interpretation section which states:
"Referees are also prohibited from wearing jewelry (except for a watch or similar device for timing the match)."

Why would that be you ask? Likely to protect players from harm in a collision with a referee. So here, not only would jewelry apply, but also a dangerous item like a snood.

I would opine that the same applies to the dress and appearance of a referee. It would seem hypocritical to have it any other way. HK Referee and I agree on this one.

After all, we are there to enforce the laws by example first, and action as needed, second.