Yes, within limits. Team officials may use small, mobile, handheld electronic communication equipment during a match where the use directly relates to player welfare or safety, or for tactical or coaching reasons, and that can include a tablet.
Who may use electronic equipment during a match
Here is the basic split during a match.
| Who | Rule |
|---|---|
| Players, including substitutes, substituted and sent-off players | May not wear or use electronic or communication equipment, except where EPTS is allowed |
| Team officials | May use only small, mobile, handheld equipment; the use must directly relate to player welfare or safety, or be for tactical or coaching reasons |
| A team official who uses unauthorised equipment, or behaves inappropriately as a result of using electronic or communication equipment | Sent off |
The coach and the other officials named on the team list, apart from players and substitutes, are team officials. They may use electronic communication where it directly relates to player welfare or safety, or for tactical or coaching reasons; players are barred from wearing or using electronic or communication equipment unless the EPTS exception applies.
Examples of permitted equipment for team officials include a microphone, headphone, earpiece, mobile phone or smartphone, smartwatch, tablet and laptop. Those are examples rather than a closed list. The limit is that only small, mobile, handheld equipment may be used.
Why a tablet can be used on the touchline
A tablet is one of the examples of equipment that may be used, but its use is still limited. The user must be a team official, and the use must either relate directly to player welfare or safety, or be for tactical or coaching reasons.
Who may give instructions in the technical area
Under Premier League Rule L.36, during a League Match the technical area may be occupied only by substitutes and officials whose names appear on the team sheet, and only officials who are named on the team sheet and situated in the technical area may communicate instructions to players.
This rule does a different job from Law 4 of the IFAB Laws of the Game. Law 4 deals with whether a device may be used; Rule L.36 deals with who may communicate instructions to players during a League Match. Even if a device is permitted, instructions to players may be given only by an official who is named on the team sheet and is in the technical area.
What the EPTS exception changes
EPTS is the one exception on the player side. It allows electronic performance and tracking systems where they are permitted, rather than opening the door to general electronic or communication equipment for players.
When wearable technology that forms part of EPTS is used in an official competition, the competition organiser must ensure that the technology attached to players' equipment is not dangerous and meets the FIFA Quality Programme requirements for wearable EPTS. If EPTS is provided by the match or competition organiser, that organiser is responsible for the reliability and accuracy of the information and data sent to the technical area during the match.
FAQ
Can managers use a tablet on the touchline?
Yes, as long as the use directly relates to player welfare or safety, or is for tactical or coaching reasons. A manager named on the team list is a team official, and a tablet is one of the examples of the small, mobile, handheld equipment team officials may use.
Who can give instructions from the technical area?
In a Premier League match, only an official may communicate instructions to players, and the official must meet both conditions at the same time: being named on the team sheet and being situated in the technical area. Being on the team sheet without being in the technical area is not enough, and neither is being there without being named.
Can footballers wear GPS trackers during matches?
Only where EPTS is allowed. When wearable EPTS technology is used in an official competition, the competition organiser must ensure that it is not dangerous and meets the FIFA Quality Programme requirements for wearable EPTS.
Can a coach be sent off for using a phone?
Yes, if the phone is unauthorised equipment, or if the coach behaves in an inappropriate manner as a result of using it. A team official who does either will be sent off.