Why Referees Are Wearing Pink in Miami Today

Flamingos, convertible Cadillacs cruising down Ocean Drive, Art Deco buildings, and the iconic sunsets…

Miami’s signature pink hue has now reached the World Cup officials who have been based in the city during the tournament’s preparation period.

Italian referee Maurizio Mariani and his assistant team, who will oversee Monday’s Group H match between Uruguay and Saudi Arabia at 23:00 BST, will don pink jerseys to “pay homage” to the city and its hospitality.

FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer and Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, former Italian official Pierluigi Collina, explained: “We thought it would be nice to show our appreciation to the city where we’ll live for about two months.”

He added, “We chose this ‘pink flamingo’ – it’s a sort of recognition.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said, “Pink is the colour of Miami, and we want to give a little bit of a shout‑out, to give a little bit of a smile to the city which is hosting us.”