The rules do not allow players to wear jewelry or studs/body piercings. So when I referee a ladies team, I am going to inspect all their bellies for navel piercings. That is to be done in the name of safety, right?
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Favorite Answer
Charlie
No. You only inspect what is visible, and remind them to take out all jewelry. DO NOT ask them to to open their mouths or show their stomachs. If you see tape or bandaids on the ear, ask the coach to deal with it.
Soccerref
taxreff
Referees should use judgment when doing equipment inspections. The officials should not make inspections which could serve to bring the game into disrepute.
One of the more bizarre incidents I ever heard of (I wasn't there, but was swept up in the aftermath about 36 hours after it happened) involved a referee in a girls high school match about 20 years ago. US high school rules at that time had rather stringent uniform requirements. The referee said that 2 young lady's sports brassieres did not match their uniform colors. Consequently, in order to play they had to remove the offending garments.
Needless to say, that resulted in a pregame screaming match involving the unwise referee, the sensible coach, and the outraged mothers of the 2 players.
soccermauk
I have played soccer at the highest level possible for 16 years. I have never had a ref check us for naval piercings,just ears and face piercings. It is all done for safety but there really is no need to check for belly rings.
Sivakumar.S
Use gloves.
We don't want any sexual harassment suit..