Football is the most popular sport where big money revolves. Every year football becomes more contact, the number of injuries increases. Because of this, additional safety measures are taken to help football players avoid painful injuries. And even such a trifle as a demonstration to the referee’s boots before going on substitution plays an important role.
Boot Change History
The first mention of boots recorded in the 1526th year. Then in England was a popular game, vaguely reminiscent of modern football. King Henry VIII loved her very much, but he was uncomfortable running around the lawn in ordinary shoes. He asked the shoemakers to invent shoes suitable for the sport. Especially for him, one of them provided the sole with spikes. So the first boots in the world appeared.
For several centuries, this type of shoe was forgotten and returned to it only in the second half of the 19th century, when modern football began to develop actively. Initially, the first mass production samples were with high soles to protect players from injuries, a metal insert was installed on the nose.
Spikes were given special attention. At first they were made metal and long, but because of the high danger of injuring another player in the tackle, their size quickly decreased to half an inch, and leather began to be used as material.The metal insert was also removed in order to reduce injuries.
In the 1960s, it was decided to abandon the high sole to allow players to gain more speed due to less fixation of the foot. The spikes began to be located not perpendicular to the lawn, but at an angle - this improved grip. However, such changes have increased the number of injuries on the football field due to less protection of players. Also, many football players began to use metal removable spikes, which worsened the situation.
Interesting fact: in the 90s, Craig Johnston, who had previously played for Liverpool, invented his own version of boots. Shoes provided good traction with the lawn, but pretty well protected the player’s legs. Until now, the author's design of Johnston boots is considered one of the most successful.
Why show the boots when going for a replacement?
Since boots now protect players' feet worse from injuries, a large number of safety measures are used during matches. One of these is a personal check by a judge of the footwear of football players entering the field.
Many viewers notice that before the substitution, the player shows the sole of the referee's boots. However, the footballers declared in the starting lineup also go through this procedure. Before they enter the field, they also demonstrate the sole to the referee, just the fans do not see it.
This is done for a very understandable reason: the judge must make sure that the shoes and spikes comply with all safety rules.For example, a player may come to a game with a boot, on the sole of which one of the spikes warped and became sharper. During a tackle, he can cause serious injuries to the enemy, which should not be allowed.
For substitute players, the shoes are checked immediately before entering the field, and not at the beginning of the match, so that he does not have time to change his boots.
The referee checks the soles of a substitute footballer for safety reasons. He wants to make sure that the player cannot harm other athletes.
