Small leg pads: A non-league club bans small leg pads after an “unsustainable” injury to a striker

Non-league Ilfracombe Town have banned “mini” shin pads after striker Riley Martin suffered an “unbearable” double fracture in a South West Peninsula League match at the weekend.

While there are currently no plans to ban the use of pads, the Football Association says the use of “small” pads has the potential to “increase the risk of injury”.

Ilfracombe Town’s match at Bridport on Saturday was abandoned after Martin broke his fibula and tibia during a 50-50 challenge with the home team’s goalkeeper.

“The initial sound was unbearable. It was like a gun being fired,” Ilfracombe town chief Nick Jupp told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“There is absolutely no blame on Riley for wearing small shin pads, but I think if he had more coverage of the shin area with larger shin pads, the injury would have been less than it was.”

While shin guards are mandatory under the Laws of the Game, the rules surrounding them are ambiguous.

It currently states that pads should be completely covered by socks, made of a suitable material (rubber, plastic or similar) and providing a reasonable degree of protection.

Further guidance from the Football Association, external “The amount of leg physically covered is an important consideration, as any part of the leg that is not covered is not well protected,” he says.

“Therefore, leg pads that are too small or small may increase the risk of injury due to the reduced volume of leg covered compared to larger leg pads.

“We advise that when considering the protection provided by leg pads, priority is given to safety by ensuring a good proportion of the leg area is covered and therefore protected.”

The International Football Association Board (Ifab), football’s regulator, has been contacted for comment.

IFAB previously said it had no plans to change the rules and stressed that players – or the parents or guardians of young players – must take responsibility for their safety on the pitch.

“Players’ legs are of different sizes and there are many different materials,” a company spokesman said.

“IFAP’s view is that this is the responsibility of the individual player, not the referee. When it comes to young players, that is the responsibility [should be taken by the coach, parents or guardians]”.