I am fully aware that referees may not wear any type of jewelry, but the other day another referee asked my to remove my wedding ring. What is the ruling on wedding rings.

Various Answers from our Experts:

Debbie Dakouzlian writes:

Interesting Question

Nowhere in the 2010-2011 NFHS Soccer Rules Book is Official jewelry addresses; only in Rule 4 - Player Equipment and the two exceptions are Religious and Medical  (Rule 4, Section 2; ART 4.)

Rule 5 - The Officials

Section 1; ART 2...They shall enforce the rules, and their decisions on points of fact are final..."     

It is expected that officials act in a professional and business like manner in this educational setting.  The focus ought to be to abide by and enforce the current rules of the game as it pertains to the competition at hand.

Nowhere does it state that an Official may not wear jewelry - we self police ourselves and when all else fails, use common sense - wedding bands or rings are an accepted social apparel of commitment and/or pride - the only reference as officials is that we abide by Rule 5; Section 1; ART 3 - all have the same uniform (shirt, shorts, socks, shoes; whistles, cards, stop watch, coin, pen and scorecard) and if one chooses, a ring, earrings, necklace and all else, keep hidden from my view especially if it involves naval, tongue or other body piercings. :-)  Debbi

Joe Turnbaugh writes:

Player’s MAY NOT wear jewelry for adornment! The exception would be religious or medical in nature which is allowed to be worn if the referee considers it to be SAFE!!

There is nothing I’m aware of about referees not being allowed to wear jewelry! Common sense says, "If I’m telling a player not to wear something [then] why I would stand there wearing one?"

I was told common sense died some years ago and this proves it!

I would never be so arrogant to ask a fellow official to remove their wedding ring a sign of true devotion to another human being!!!

Dr. Harvey Grody writes:

I believe I already replied in my capacity as a USSF instructor and assessor when I said, "NONSENSE!".

Joe states it simply enough: common sense.

Also, I might note that I have never required a player to remove a wedding ring. It really isn't "adornment," but something more akin to personal commitment much as is religious jewelry. I suppose I might require a player to tape or remove a large diamond ring (which could be an engagement ring or a wedding ring) if I considered it to be dangerous.

Also, I question this statement: "I am fully aware that referees may not wear any type of jewelry." Where is that stated in anything official in USSF or FIFA? It may be true as to tradition or common practice, but to say "may not" implies that a rule somewhere prohibits something.