Question Number: 4059

Pre-Game

RE: Competitive Under 17

Marc Watson of Luton, Bedfordshire, England, UK asks...

I was assistant referee in a game about 4 weeks ago..At half-time, one of the league members came up to me and said "Sorry Marc, I'm going to have to ask you to change your flag.".I was puzzled about this and asked why! .He seems to think that "Red and Yellow Diamond Patterened Flags are not aloud by FIFA" or by my local FA..None of my mentors have ever mentioned anything about it..And Diamond Patterened flags ARE NOT banned by FIFA at all, they were used in the 2002 World Cup. There's nothing in Law 6 about them...What on earth is this guy talking about? If he thinks I going to buy a sqaure patterened flag, he has another thing coming!.My set of flags (including a case) cost me ?24 from Germany. I'm not buying another one for him. .I brought the diamond patterened ones because I liked them...Thanks from your time.

Answer provided by Referee Stacy Kalstrom

Wow, that's a new one. SOmeone wanted you to change flags. SOunds silly to me. I would continue to use the cool flags you purchased. (I bought some from Germany as well and I really like them) I wonder where this guy was coming from?..Have fun on the pitch.

Answer provided by Referee Dawson

Hi Marc,.stick to your flags! However if a centre referee requests you to use his, do so and do not worry too much. If you are centre and hand out yours to your ARs expect them to use them. If this individual is some sort of league official just plain look him square in the eyes and ask why? FIFA has no such restrictions as to your local FA???? Cheers