The shirt catch, also known as the “shirt tug,” is a move that defied the rules of fair play. It involved a player grabbing onto an opponent’s shirt to gain an advantage, either by impeding their movement or by using it as leverage during a challenge.
This move was especially prevalent in the early days of football when the rules were not as strict as they are today.
The shirt catch was often used as a last-ditch effort by defenders to prevent an attacker from scoring. By tugging on their opponent’s shirt, defenders could disrupt their balance and throw them off their stride.