Snoods are banned! Football chiefs finally call time on the neckwear designed for 'powder puffs'

05 March 2011 21:31
They have sparked debate, caused outrage and, finally, snoods have been outlawed.[LNB]The game's law-makers got something right when they ordered players to bin the neckwarmers that have been popping up in the Barclays Premier League this season.[LNB]The International FA Board, meeting at Celtic Manor in Wales, agreed to enforce a rule banning the snood... with immediate effect.[LNB]So Manchester City's Mario Balotelli and Arsenal's Marouane Chamakh, who hid behind the fashion accessories on Saturday as the decision was announced, should prepare for a chill wind in the weeks ahead.[LNB] Last seen wearing: Mario Balotelli (left) and Marouane Chamakh sport snoods for the final time[LNB]FIFA president Sepp Blatter said: 'A snood is not part of the equipment and it can be dangerous, even like hanging somebody. The decision was unanimous. There was not even a discussion because this is not part of the uniform.[LNB]'I was a player in both winter and summer weather and I never wore a snood. We must pay attention to the laws of the game. It was rejected unanimously not only by the board today but, before, by all the technical staff and by the secretary-generals. It's a non-issue.'[LNB]So, fashion sense did not come into it, and neither did Sir Alex Ferguson's view of snoods, the Manchester United manager having declared: 'They are for powder puffs.'[LNB] Goodbye to all that: Carlos Tevez will also bid farewell to the 'dangerous' garment[LNB]Rio Ferdinand, always keen to be up with the latest trends, was against them, too, but the neck garments favoured by players such as Carlos Tevez and Samir Nasri are not universally unpopular.[LNB]Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said: 'Ban them? No, it's cold.' [LNB]Bolton boss Owen Coyle added: 'I don't have a problem with players wearing them, if that's what they want to do.'[LNB]The IFAB used Law 4, relating to players' equipment, to banish the snood. It says: 'A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player.' [LNB]  Snoods banned with immediate effect as goal-line technology tests continue No more winter warmers for Toure and Nasri as FIFA consider banning snoodsSnood watch: Who are the powder puffs to displease Sir Alex this week?[LNB]  Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Carlos Tevez, Sepp Blatter, Rio Ferdinand, Marouane Chamakh, Owen Coyle, Mario Balotelli, Carlo Ancelotti Places: Wales

Source: Daily_Mail