Recently there has been an increase in local and national press coverage on the safety of footwear. Some articles have focused on particular styles of studs, bars or blades.
Players need to ensure that the boots they wear do not constitute a danger to themselves or others. Law 4 of the Laws of the Game states; 'A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player, including any kind of jewellery.'
The Football Association has decided that all referees must carry out a boot check on all players before a match commences, referees will not sanction the use of any boots where the referee is concerned that the studs on the boots are not safe.
The primary responsibility, however, rests with players to ensure that their boots are safe through proper and careful maintenance. The Football Association, therefore, encourages all players to regularly check their boots to ensure that the studs or blades have not developed rough or sharpened edges. It is these dangerous edges which have been the cause of lacerations and other injuries to opponents.
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