Why was Calafiori banned from using a towel for throw-ins?

Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori was stopped by referee Jarred Gillet from using a towel to dry the ball before taking a throw-in against Newcastle United - but why?

It's because of the Premier League's rules around the multi-ball system.

Clubs have to agree to the availability of towels around the field of play before the match. If both clubs fail to come to an agreement, towels cannot be used.

As both Newcastle and Arsenal did not agree to the use of towels, the referee could step in to prevent the Italian from using one before taking his throw-in.

However, if the clubs do come to an agreement, players can use towels during matches.

That is why Jefferson Lerma was allowed to use a cloth to dry the ball before the throw-in that led to Crystal Palace's last-minute winner against Liverpool on Saturday.

There are no rules preventing goalkeepers from using towels to dry their gloves or mop sweat off their bodies.

The use of towels in the English Football League (EFL) - the Championship, League One and League Two - have been outlawed since the 2023-24 season.

EFL clubs voted to ban them and the use of other articles, including items obtained from spectators, to dry footballs during matches.

The International Football Association Board (Ifab), the body responsible for determining the laws of the game, has not made any laws regarding towels.

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