Question Number: 24886

League Specific 5/6/2011

Steve Brink of Westfield, IN USA asks...

Is it required for USSF players to have numbers on their jersey?

If so, do they have to be different?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Numbers on uniforms would be up to the competition authority - league, tournament, etc.

In most places if numbers are required, they must be unique.

Due to circumstances beyond their control, sometimes two youth players will have the same number. In that case, I have them alter one of the shirts with tape to make the numbers unique.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Steve
This is covered under a competition rule set by the competition authority. Most if not all Leagues make provision for numbers to assist referees in the proper identification of players.
However should the need arise in unusual circumstances the referee should use Law 18 and find a solution. For instance in a blood injury where the jersey is covered in blood teams will not have a replacement with the player's number so it is acceptable to use say a substitutes jersey or a jersey with no number or a jersey with a number of a team mate. etc.
I have also found situations where a team arrives with perhaps a few jerseys short. I have allowed the team to start with the available 11 jerseys and to swap with substitutes as players go off, making a note of the substitutes actual number on the roster.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The laws of the game do not require numbers. Competitive leagues all adopt rules requiring a different number. (Some treat keepers differently.)

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This is only required by competition authorities, not FIFA or USSF