Question Number: 16139

Law 5 - The Referee 7/27/2007

RE: Comp Adult

Ryan of Flower Mound, TX USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 16096

When I asked about wearing officiating clothing I really meant is it acceptable to wear t-shirts or hats that say soccer referee on them while watching a game. I didn't really intend to ask about wearing a referee uniform while watching a game because I dont think I have ever seen anyone wear the soccer referee uniform at a match they were watching. But I have a lot of soccer referee t-shirts. Is it wrong to be wearing those while watching a match?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Yes, you can do it. This is the USA after all isn't it?

The only thing for you to consider is that people will start to ask you questions about the referees at the match. They will try to get you to say that the refs were wrong. You are ethically bound not to publically promote crticism of fellow referees - so don't get caught up in their little games.

Identifying yourself as a referee might cause you some headaches on the matches you watch. So be forewarned. You might like to wear something other than a shirt with the word 'referee' on it at a match for those reasons, but there really is no real reason you can't do it.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If you are well enough know it doesn't matter what you wear, you are still a referee. Don't be baited by the unwashed masses asking questions that can only be answered by the match referee.

Regards,