As cooler months approach, it’s the season for those participating in soccer (as well as reporters) to consider additional clothing.
Players are generally permitted to add some items for warmth, such as long-sleeved shirts worn underneath their jerseys, provided they coordinate with the primary color of the jersey worn over them.
Concerns over neck warmers in 2011 resulted in their prohibition
Neck warmers experienced considerable prevalence around 2010, with numerous Premier League athletes sporting the item during games.
Players from Manchester City exhibited a particular fondness for them: Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli, and Yaya Toure all utilized them. Samir Nasri, then associated with Arsenal, also used them; his subsequent transfer to City during the following summer likely stemmed from City scouts highlighting ‘uses neck warmer’ as a positive attribute when evaluating potential acquisitions.
Following several months of complaints and criticisms regarding athletes appearing overly sensitive, the controversy ultimately reached a decision point (pertaining to the neck area) in 2011, when the International FA Board (IFAB) decreed their impermissibility.
IFAB functions as the organization responsible for formulating the Laws of the Game and their application.
Their rationale was that neck warmers posed a potential safety issue due to the risk of being grabbed or snagged, potentially causing injuries.
As articulated by IFAB following a meeting in March 2011: “IFAB has determined that, regarding Law 4 – Player Equipment, the use of neck warmers shall not be permitted.”
Subsequently, neck warmers have become conspicuously absent from professional soccer pitches.
Oddly enough, the matter provoked a surprising amount of excessive, traditional masculine sentiment from certain athletes and coaches at that time, with the very notion of desiring warmth seemingly indicative of a concerning moral decline.
Paul Ince, then manager of Notts County, remarked: “It’s not acceptable. Returning to my playing days, which I acknowledge sounds dated, we simply had black and white boots, nothing more. I find it disrespectful when players wear headphones during interviews, and the prevalence of pink boots, green boots, and all manner of other footwear, as well as leggings – it seems skirts will be next.”
And what would be so wrong if that were to occur, Paul?
Sir Alex Ferguson also contributed, stating: “Truly masculine individuals do not use neck warmers.” The meaning behind this assertion remains unclear.
Nonetheless, the ban remains in effect to this day; however, one can only speculate that the detractors experienced considerable bewilderment regarding their viewpoint on the situation, considering that the decision was predicated on considerations of health and safety.
