Following the Thabang Monare incident, where referee Cedric Muvhali told the Sekhukhune United midfielder that he couldn’t continue playing unless he cut off Isiphandla, FARPost looks at what the laws of the game say about this particular issue.
In the game against AmaZulu FC this past Wednesday, which ended in a 1-1 draw, Babina Noko coach Eric Tinkler was forced to substitute ‘Dash’ in the 20th minute as Muvhali insisted he had to cut off Isiphandla if he wanted to continue playing.
Culturally, Isiphandla can’t be taken off until it falls off on its own. In his post-match tweet, Monare, who had covered his Isphandla with tape, felt it was unfair because there were other players on the pitch with theirs.
He wrote: “I am covering Isphandla with the bandages, so the ref said, I should go out and cut Isiphandla while AmaZulu had three players who played the whole match. So that was the problem.”
He further wrote: “And when we have decided that I am going off, we then said he should also check AmaZulu FC players, and we counted three on the field who also had Isphandla. One even came out to re-strap it and went back in while I was watching from the bench at the time.”
But what do the laws of the game say about that particular issue?
WHAT THE LAWS OF THE GAME SAY ABOUT ISPHANDLA OR JEWELLERY?
FIFA Law 4 says players must not wear any dangerous equipment or jewellery. “A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player, including any kind of jewellery. Jewellery should be removed,” reads Law 4.
Dangerous equipment is classified as anything that is a danger to the player or others, like necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, and similar items.
Former referee Victor Hlungwani explained to FARPost that taping over Isphandla is not permitted.
“When we go to law, the law says all items of jewellery, including wrist bracelets and rubber bands, are strictly forbidden and must be removed. And using tape or a bandage to cover these items is prohibited. That is the law,” Hlungwani told FARPost.
He recalled an incident when Mandla Ncikazi had to intervene between Steve Komphela and match officials during their time at Golden Arrows in 2019.
On the day, referee Jelly Chavhani asked two Arrows players, Siyabonga Dube and Sibusiso Sibeko, to cut off Isiphandla.
“You know we can’t just remove Isiphandla, it can destroy their lives, it’s our culture as Africans. If there’s something that needs to be revisited in the rules, it’s that part, it’s against our culture and rituals, disrespect to their ancestors,” Ncikazi explained at the time.
Hlungwani believes this is an issue that lawmakers could reconsider if it’s brought to their attention, ensuring that laws are more accommodating of cultural issues.
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