Question Number: 31129

Law 4 - The Players Equipment 12/26/2016

RE: 8 Under 17

Alexis of portsmouth, virginia United States asks...

If a player with white shorts with black hems chooses to wear undershorts, could they either wear white or black even though white is the dominant color of the shorts

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Alexis,
This part of the law has changed. Since the 2016-17 update, it now states:

''undershorts/tights must be the same colour as the main colour of the shorts or the lowest part of the shorts ...''

So if the hem of the shorts is black, the undershorts could indeed be black also. The explanation given for this is as follows:

''Manufacturers now make shorts with a different coloured lower part (hem). Law change gives the choice of the undershorts/tights being the same colour as the shorts or the hem ...''

Actually, what I have also noticed is that several teams now wear shorts with gradations of colour on them so for instance, the shorts start off as one colour at the top but then merge gradually into another colour towards the bottom. So it can be more than just the hem that is a different colour, it can be that the bottom 20-30% of the shorts material is a different colour to the top and/or dominant colour. I think in these cases it makes just as much sense for the undergarment to match the lower part of the shorts, as it does for them to match the upper part.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Alexis,,
Whatever the main color is or the hem color the shorts can be either or. This was recently changed to accommodate manufactures and just perhaps the reality or necessity of not being so bloody picky sigh
Cheer and Merry Christmas

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alexis
The law has changed recently on this. A black hem on shorts now allows players to wear black undershorts.