Georgia Policy on Referee Uniforms

The proper referee uniform is the one shown in the current editions of the FIFA and USSF Laws of the Game and Guide for Referees and the Georgia State Soccer Association Handbook for Referees. That uniform consists of a gold, black, or red shirt, shoes, black socks with three white rings at the top, solid black shorts, and one of the following shirts:

1. Gold short or long sleeved shirt of approved USSF design (preferred shirt).
2. Black short or long-sleeved shirt of approved USSF design (alternate shirt).
3. Red short or long-sleeved shirt of approved USSF design (alternate shirt).
4. Blue short or long-sleeved shirt of approved USSF design (alternate shirt).

Manufacturer's logos are acceptable on all articles of clothing, but additional designs, stripes, piping, and trim are not. A current USSF badge of the referee's current grade must be worn on the left pocket of the shirt. The referee will determine which shirts are appropriate, based on their contrast with the competing teams' jerseys. Note that the officials must change shirts if there is a conflict with either team's shirts.

The correct uniform should be worn by all officials for all matches. All three officials should be dressed alike. Referees should not be subject to disciplinary measures when the following situations are observed:

1. When officiating several matches per day in cold temperature or rain, or a combination of rain and cold, and where the level of competition will not require brisk physical activity, long black pants or warm-ups are worn over the shorts, In cold weather, black gloves or a black knit cap are worn.
2. Beginning or novice referees or assistant referees who do not own a long-sleeved shirt wearing a long-sleeved black or white shirt or sweatshirt under their short-sleeved shirt. (Referees who continue to officiate after their first year should obtain long-sleeved shirts.)
3. In rain, officials who wear prescription eyeglasses and who cannot officiate without them wearing a black, unmarked brimmed hat (e.g., a baseball hat) to protect the glasses from rain.
4. Officials with skin conditions requiring avoidance of direct sunlight wearing black, unmarked brimmed hat (e.g., a baseball hat) to protect their skin from the sun.

All three officials should be dressed alike. When it is impossible for all three officials to dress alike, because they do not all have the same equipment with them, the following alternatives should be used, in order of preference:

1. All three officials dress alike.
2. All three officials wear the same color shirt, with a mixture of short and long sleeves.
3. The referee wears one color shirt, and both of the assistant referees wear a different color.

The general appearance of all officials should be neat and professional. The officials' uniforms must be neat and clean. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Shoes must be clean at the start of the match. Socks must be pulled up with the three stripes even.

The following are not allowed under any circumstances and will make the official subject to possible disciplinary action:

1. Socks rolled down to the ankles.
2. Short-sleeved shirts rolled up to the shoulder.
3. Shirts rolled tip or tied up from the waist.
4. Underwear showing either below or above the shorts.
5. Extra visible clothing of a color other than black or white worn over or under the referee uniform
6. Sunglasses, except prescription light-sensitive glass where the glasses are the normal ones used by the official. Off the field, any warm-up or jacket that is neat and professional in appearance, hats, gloves, umbrellas, and any other articles of clothing or protection that enhance the referee's comfort are acceptable. The professional appearance of the referee should be maintained during the half-time interval or between successive games at the same field.

No tobacco products or alcohol may be used on or in the vicinity of the field.

Once referees leave the vicinity of the field, they may assume a more casual appearance, but in that case, all outward signs of the referee uniform should be removed. (A good rule of thumb is, if someone can tell by looking at you that you are a referee, then you should appear neatly and professionally dressed).

It is the duty of the referee to strictly enforce the uniform regulations. Assistant referees who do not adhere to these requirements must be reported by the referee to the local referee coordinator or the State Referee Committee. Referees reported for uniform dress violations will be subject to discipline up to and including loss of their certification. The State Referee Committee recommends that officials who do not meet these requirements should not be paid for their services.

It is the responsibility of senior officials not only to adhere to this uniform code but to make every effort to see to it that it is adhered to by Junior officials.