BS: Footballers' shorts inspected

Subject: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 07 Dec 13 - 02:50 PM

When players in a UK or European Association Football match are waiting in the tunnel to come on, or about to come on as substitute, the match officials always inspect their boot studs; presumably to ensure they are firmly fixed, with no projecting nails which could cause injury.

Very recently — just the last few weeks in my observation — they have also taken to lifting the bottoms of players' shorts a couple of inches to glance at the bit of thigh thus exposed.

What on earth are they looking for there?

~Michael~

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: Jack Campin
Date: 07 Dec 13 - 03:02 PM

Medication patches?

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Dec 13 - 05:30 PM

Sex determination check? Recent hickeys? Interesting tattoos?

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 07 Dec 13 - 05:34 PM

But surely they could attach a patch a bit higher up where it would remain undetected? Is it anything to do with those under-shorts (not sure what they're called) that sports people wear? (Sort of long, grippy boxers) Maybe certain kinds of those aren't allowed, or maybe they're now obligatory. Most mystifying, Michael. Perhaps they just like looking at young men's legs!

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: gnu
Date: 07 Dec 13 - 08:35 PM

Short leg inspection?

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 12:49 AM

Michael, they haven't nailed studs for at least the past forty years - they're screwed in , or moulded as part of the sole of the boot! :-)

Those nails were a bugger when they broke through the footbed of your boot and into your foot - a sure sign that new boots were due!

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: Gurney
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 01:04 AM

Just hoping they are in a remake of 'Bend It Like Beckham.'

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 03:37 AM

Indeed BWM. But in that case, what are they inspecting the studs for, for that matter?

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: GUEST,musket
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 04:26 AM

Is anything worn under the shorts?

No. It's all in working order.





Ithankyouverymuch.

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: Will Fly
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 04:51 AM

Apparently, when a new Pope is elected, he's carried in a chair, wearing no underclothing, above the heads of the cardinals - so that they can see he's actually a male and not a female. Memories of Pope Joan, d'ye see?

It's the same with footballers - the stewards check before each match to see that the players actually have the Full English, and that they aren't women... Just a quick feel up the -

(Sorry about this. Our band was playing for a gay ceilidh last night (or should this be gayleidh?), and some of the dancing was, to say the least, quite interesting).

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 05:39 AM

Drift ~~ induced by Will's post above: one of my award winning entries in a Folk Review clerihew competition some time back about 40 years ago ran

Of The Village Voice"
Said Tom Peilidh geilidh
As he photographed the ceilidh

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 05:40 AM

Don't know why the first line vanished. Here it is again

Of the Village Voice,"
Said Tom Peilidh geilidh
As he photographed the ceilidh

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 05:42 AM

What is going on here?

"That shot should be the choice
Of the Village Voice"
Said Tom Peilidh geilidh
As he photographed the ceilidh

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 05:44 AM

Phew! Was it really worth it? "And I ask myself the same question...!"

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 05:59 AM

I think Eliza has it right - here's the FIFA regulation about underwear, etc:

27 Items worn under Playing Equipment

27.1 Players may use Equipment items worn under the Playing Equipment,
such as underwear, T-shirts and thermal shorts. Such Equipment items worn
under the Playing Equipment may be separate from, or permanently attached
to, the shirt or shorts. The Colour of any such visible Equipment items worn
under the Playing Equipment must be of the same group of a basic Colour as
the corresponding part (e.g. sleeves or legs) of a Playing Equipment item. In the
event that a Player is wearing a short-sleeve shirt as a Playing Equipment item,
a long-sleeve T-shirt worn under the Playing Equipment must be of the same
visual appearance as the long-sleeve shirt worn by other Players of the same
team.

LFF

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: Will Fly
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 06:33 AM

In other words, don't let your slip show.

When I was a teenager, if my girlfriend spotted another girl with a white slip showing under her skirt, she'd comment, "It's snowing down south".

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 07:12 AM

We used to say, "Charlie's dead." (Bonnie Prince of that ilk)

I caused my husband to stare when I translated this post and asked, "So what DO footballers have under their shorts, dear?" He replied. "Surely you know by now, we've been married for ages!" Rolled on sofa in giggles.

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 08:16 AM

Back in the days before zip-flies, we used to tell lads who had forgotten to button up, "Your medals are showing".

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: Mr Happy
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 09:39 AM

At 4m 12secs can be seen shorts check: Association Football

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 12:24 PM

A very classy colleague with a cut glass accent once told us in the staff room that she always remarked, "George is at the window."

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: Mr Happy
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 01:07 PM

& your point?

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 01:11 PM

you never see these jobs advertised -shorts inspector - preference given to men with experience as a scoutmaster.

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 01:17 PM

L F Freddie. But that rule only applies to items that protrude visibly from under the shirt or shorts; eg cycling shorts which are longer than the football shorts, or long-sleeved t-shirt under the short-sleeved shirt. If the shorts have to be lifted to see them, then their colour is immaterial. So I can't see how the rule you cite answers my original question.

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 09 Dec 13 - 03:03 AM

Fair point, M

Maybe it's Law 4 - basic equipment, which doesn't refer to anything protruding:

Basic equipment
The basic compulsory equipment of a player comprises the following separate
items:
• a jersey or shirt with sleeves – if undergarments are worn, the colour of the
sleeve must be the same main colour as the sleeve of the jersey or shirt
• shorts – if undershorts or tights are worn, they must be of the same main
colour as the shorts
• stockings – if tape or similar material is applied externally it must be the
same colour as that part of the stocking it is applied to
• shinguards
• footwear

Law 4 was amended to include undershorts in around March 2011 - so why they've only started checking now in the Premier League, I don't know.

Story about a youth team having to change its kit here:Undershorts

LFF

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 09 Dec 13 - 04:18 AM

Ah, yes; that seems to fit. Thank you for pointing that rule out. Perhaps they have been doing it for longer & it has only recently impinged on my perception; or, more likely as I am generally an observant person, perhaps the FA or FIFA have recently issued a reminder to officials to check observation of this rule.

Anyhow, many thanks again LFF for identifying that rule.

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Footballers' shorts inspected
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 09 Dec 13 - 05:36 AM

You're most welcome, M.

Of course, it might be the colder weather recently meaning players are more likely to wear their thermals and so need to be checked up on!

LFF