Goalkeeping with a cap in Bangladesh football!

Cap is one of the sports companions. Athletes wear caps in many sports. However, in football, one of the most popular sports in the world, there is absolutely no practice of wearing a cap during a match. Such a special incident happened today (Tuesday) in the quarter final match between Sheikh Jamal and Bangladesh Police.

Sheikh Jamal’s goalkeeper Mahfuz Hasan Pritam was seen keeping a cap on his head in the first half. There is an intense fire across the country. The match starts at 3 pm at Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj. So take shelter of cap to avoid sunlight. However, the cap could not save the team in the first half. Sheikh Jamal scored three goals in 23 minutes. However, he was not seen wearing a cap in the second half. However, Sheikh Jamal’s goal post was in the shadows in the later part of the game after the change of ends.

Almost all the referees in charge of the Bangladesh Premier League and former FIFA referees have said that it is legal for goalkeepers to wear caps to protect themselves from the heat of the sun and to understand the flight of the ball. However, there is some disagreement among referees about this, some say that the cap can be worn naturally, a couple of them even say to wear it upside down so that no one is injured during a corner or an opponent’s attack.

Goalkeepers can use sports glasses to protect their eyes from sunlight or floodlights. Caps can be used by goalkeepers as well as players in other positions on the field. But it must be approved by the Referee-Match Commissioner.

Former national team captain goalkeeper Biplab Bhattacharya played domestic football for almost two eras. On goalkeeping in a cap, he said, ‘I have never done goalkeeping in a cap. I have never seen anyone do that.’ Keeping the cap on for the heat of the sun and various tricks is a novelty in modern football.

AZ/AHS