I purchase all my equipment from OSI and noticed they are offering English Premier League referee shirts and international shirts for purchase, as well as the standard USSF fare.

As OSI is the official provider for USSF uniforms, are these legal for use by USSF referees? I cannot believe they would be, but thought I would ask.

USSF answer (July 14, 2010):
Your intuition is correct: The EPL shirts may not be worn by referees working games affiliated with the U. S. Soccer Federation.

USSF answer (July 14, 2010):
No, there is no such memo. Here is the reply from the authority at U. S. Soccer:
“We have never sent a position paper on sleeves. It is up to each person to decide and they do not all have to match.”

USSF answer (March 22, 2010):
http://friinc.onet.net/catalog/login3.html

Otherwise call the USSF office at 312-525-1215.

I have been told conflicting things by assessors as to the socks matching. I understand at all high-level games the referees should match 100% (even style of jersey (new or old)), but for youth games, there are many times when the referees do not all have pairs that can match.

What is the official stance on socks?

USSF answer (March 18, 2010):
At the moment there is no official policy on this, but the rationale you have provided in your question is correct.

USSF answer (March 4, 2010):
The uniform sold by Official Sports International (OSI) is the official uniform for referees affiliated with the U. S. Soccer Federation. The standards for that uniform were established by the USSF Board of Directors and may not be changed by anyone else. The design sold by OSI must be worn to all games and tournaments affiliated with the Federation. If referees find another uniform that meets the same design standard, they may wear that uniform for their lower-level games. Unless the Adidas uniform meets those standards, it may not be worn for any affiliated games.

See the USSF Referee Administrative Handbook for a description and pictures of the only approved uniforms:

Standards of Dress and Appearance Official U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Uniform
Official Sports International (OSI) is the official supplier of referee uniforms to U.S. Soccer.
GOLD SHIRT: with black pinstripes (long or short sleeve)
ONE BADGE ONLY: U.S. SOCCER FEDERATION – WITH CURRENT YEAR (Securely fastened to shirt over left chest. The badge should be for the highest grade for which the referee is currently qualified)
BLACK COLLAR
BLACK CUFF: (on long sleeve shirt only) (no cuffs on short sleeves)
BLACK SHORTS: Bottom edge of shorts not less than 3 nor more than 7 inches above the top of the knee- cap.
BLACK SOCKS: with Federation referee crest
BLACK SHOES: (may have white manufacturers design) with black laces
Alternate Referee Uniforms
The following four shirts have been approved by the Federation as alternates that can be worn in case of color conflict. There is no order of preference among the alternate jerseys. The other parts of the referee uniform (shorts, socks, shoes) do not change if the referee wears an alternate shirt.
BLACK SHIRT with, BLACK COLLAR, and BLACK CUFFS (on long sleeve shirts only). RED SHIRT with, BLACK COLLAR, and BLACK CUFFS (on long sleeve shirts only). BLUE SHIRT with, BLACK COLLAR, and BLACK CUFFS (on long sleeve shirts only). GREEN SHIRT with, BLACK COLLAR, and BLACK CUFFS (on long sleeve shirts only).
Logos, Emblems and Badges: Only manufacturer’s logos and U.S. Soccer approved badges and/or emblems may be visible on the referee uniform.

Note: Older versions of the OSI uniform may be worn until they need to be replaced.

USSF answer (February 28, 2010):
It was and remains a rumor with no facts whatsoever connected with it.

USSF answer (May 30, 2009):
Of course the Federation would prefer that referees bought our sponsor’s products, but as long as your uniforms meet the same design requirements as those sold by OSI, then you may wear them. See this FAQ on the new uniforms:

Can the ref crew wear any of the socks from the OSI website. 3 stripes and the two versions of the “logo “ socks?? (Provide we all match)

Finally, MLS referees wear Adidas jerseys, can youth/amature referee’s purchase these and wear them? (providing the crew matches)
I know that addidas gives away these jersey at some of their sponsored tournaments and we get them for free and are allowed to wear them at Regionals.

Your thoughts???

USSF answer (May 19, 2009):
1. No.
2. Yes.
3. No.

USSF answer (April 12, 2009):
The Federation would seem to be damned if it does and damned if it doesn’t. The wearing of the U. S. flag on the uniform is (and always has been) a matter of personal choice. The USSF is a patriotic organization, but does the wearing of the flag actually make one patriotic? Patriotism is a state of mind and being, not a fashion show for the masses.

We can tell you how this plays out in one Eastern state. Shortly after 9-11, US flag patches for the upper arm were distributed and “requested” to be worn. We don’t believe the same thing was done thereafter but, of course, those who had the patch on already continued to wear it. Accordingly, those who are wearing it now most likely haven’t bought a new uniform jersey since 2001 and those who aren’t probably either became a referee or bought a new jersey since then. Those referees who have multiple jerseys probably don’t have the flag patch for all of them, only the primary jersey.