Safety 

A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery). 

Basic Equipment 

The basic compulsory equipment of a player comprises the following separate items: 

• a jersey or shirt - if undergarments are worn, the colour of the sleeve should be the same main colour as the sleeve of the jersey or shirt. 
• jerseys must have sleeves.
• shorts - if undershorts are worn, they are of the same main colour as the shorts 
• stockings (socks)
• shinguards must be covered entirely by the stockings, are made of a suitable material (rubber, plastic, or similar substances) and provide a reasonable degree of protection 
• footwear 

Goalkeepers 

• each goalkeeper wears colours that distinguish him from the other players, the referee and the assistant referees 

Infringements/Sanctions 

For any infringement of this Law: 

• play need not be stopped 
• the player at fault is instructed by the referee to leave the field of play to correct his equipment 
• the player leaves the field of play when the ball next ceases to be in play, unless he has already corrected his equipment 
• any player required to leave the field of play to correct his equipment does not re-enter without the refereeís permission 
• the referee checks that the playerís equipment is correct before allowing him to re-enter the field of play 
• the player is only allowed to re-enter the field of play when the ball is out of play 

A player who has been required to leave the field of play because of an infringement of this Law and who enters (or re-enters) the field of play without the refereeís permission is cautioned and shown the yellow card. 

Restart of Play 

If play is stopped by the referee to administer a caution: 

the match is restarted by an indirect free kick taken by a player of the opposing side, from the place where the ball was located when the referee stopped the match.

Basic equipment 

Colours: 

• All players including goalkeepers must wear a jersey with colours that distinguish them from the referee and the assistant referees 
• If the jerseys of the two goalkeepers are the same colour and neither has another jersey to change into, the referee shall allow play to begin 

If a player loses his footwear accidentally and immediately plays the ball and/or scores a goal, there is no infringement and the goal is awarded because he lost his footwear by accident. 

Goalkeepers may wear track suit bottoms as past as his basic equipment. 

Other equipment 

A player may use equipment other than the basic equipment provided that its sole purpose is to protect him physically and it poses no danger to him or any other player. 

All items of clothing or equipment other than the basic equipment must be inspected by the referee and determined not to be dangerous. Modern protective equipment such as headgear, facemasks and knee and arm protectors made of soft, lightweight padded material are not considered dangerous and are therefore permitted. 

In view of the new technology that has made sports spectacles much safer, both for the wearer and for other players, referees should show tolerance when authorising their use, particularly for younger players. 

If an item of clothing or equipment that has been inspected at the start of a match and determined not to be dangerous becomes dangerous or is used in a dangerous manner during the match, its use must no longer be allowed. 

Jewellery 

All items of jewellery (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather bands, rubber bands etc.) are strictly forbidden and must be removed. 

Using tape to cover jewellery is not acceptable. 

Referees are also prohibited from wearing jewellery (except for a watch or similar device for timing the match). 

Disciplinary sanctions 

The players are to be inspected before the match begins and substitutes before they enter the field of play. If a player is discovered to be wearing unauthorised clothing or jewellery during play, the referee shall: 

• inform the player that the item in question must be removed 
• order the player to leave the field of play at the next stoppage if he is unable or unwilling to comply 
• caution the player if he wilfully refuses to comply or, having been told to remove the item, is discovered to be wearing the item again 

If play is stopped to caution the player, an indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team from the position of the ball when play was stopped.