Referee Uniforms FAQ's:

Question: What guidance can you give me on the Referee uniform and what Referees are allowed to wear.

Answer: Here is the policy of the U. S. Soccer Federation National Referee Program:

Question: May referees wear caps and sunglasses?

Answer: With regard to caps, the policy of the United States Soccer Federation was stated in the Spring 1994 issue of Fair Play magazine: "Under normal circumstances, it is not acceptable for a game official to wear headgear, and it would never be seen on a high level regional, national or international competition. However, there may be rare circumstances in local competitions where head protection or sun visors might sensibly be tolerated for the good of the game, e.g. early morning or late afternoon games with sun in the officials' line of sight causing vision difficulties; understaffed situations where an official with sensitive skin might be pressed into service for multiple games under strong sunlight or a referee who wears glasses needing shielding from rain."

Sunglasses would be subject to the same considerations. In addition, we ask Referees to remember that sunglasses have the unfortunate side effect of suggesting that the Referee or Assistant Referee is severely visually impaired and should not be working the game. They also limit communication between the officials and the players by providing a barrier against eye-to-eye contact. Sunglasses, if worn, should he removed prior to any verbal communication with players.

Question: Are black shorts with colored inserts acceptable?

Answer: No. Only plain black shorts are acceptable. Our aim is to ensure that the whole team is dressed identically.

Question: Is a long-sleeved shirt in gold with black stripes with black cuff acceptable? How about the same shirt in short sleeves?

Answer: The long-sleeved gold shirt with black stripes may have solid black cuffs; however, the short-sleeved gold shirt with black stripes may not have black cuffs.

Question: Is a gold shirt with white collar and cuffs acceptable?

Answer: No. The only acceptable design is a gold shirt with black stripes with black cuffs on the long-sleeved version and no cuffs on the short-sleeved version.

Question: What should be done if the Referee and one of the Assistant Referees wear the gold shirt, but the other assistant comes to the field in the black shirt?

Answer: Every effort must be made to have all three Referees in uniforms of the same color and design. If only two of them have the gold shirt, but all three have the black uniform, then black should be worn provided there is no color conflict with one of the teams. Common sense should be used in those situations where there is a conflict with team colors.

Question: Must the gold, red, black, blue and green shirts have the U. S. Soccer Federation logo on the sleeve?

Answer: No, the gold, red, black, blue and green shirts with the U. S. Soccer Federation logo on the sleeves are the official shirts of the Federation; however, a shirt identical in design and colors without the logo on the sleeve is acceptable.