Why will Uruguay v Saudi Arabia referee wear pink?

Italian referee Maurizio Mariani will don 'flamingo pink' jerseys for Monday night's Group H clash between Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Miami.

Published 1 hour ago

Flamingos, convertible Cadillacs cruising along Ocean Drive, Art Deco architecture, and, naturally, the sunsets...

Miami is synonymous with the color pink, and now that influence has extended to World Cup officials, who have been stationed in the South Florida city ahead of the tournament.

Italian referee Maurizio Mariani and his crew, officiating Monday's Group H encounter between Uruguay and Saudi Arabia (23:00 BST), will wear pink shirts as a 'tribute' to the city and its welcome.

Iconic Italian official Pierluigi Collina, now FIFA's Chief Refereeing Officer and Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, stated: "We thought it would be nice to show our gratitude to the city where we will reside for roughly two months.

"We selected this 'pink flamingo' - it's a form of acknowledgment."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino added: "Pink is the color of Miami, and we (want) to offer a small shout-out, to bring a bit of a smile to the city that is hosting us."