Australian rugby league referees are to ditch their pink jerseys , because they believe it jeopardises their authority . With the NRL season due to begin again this week , the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that officials have been switched out of pink for the coming campaign . Instead , the referees will wear blue or red , depending on the kits of the two teams involved in any game . NRL referees have ditched the idea of pink jerseys after claims they undermined official 's authority . The new colours have been chosen as they apparently encourage discipline but the move has come in for criticism . Performance psychologist Chris Pomfret said it was purely a symbolic gesture which would n't change how the game was refereed . 'The colour of a uniform is irrelevant to the skill execution of referees , just the same as the colour of a jersey worn by players is irrelevant to their skill execution , ' he said . 'In short , the colour of a uniform should n't matter as it does n't directly impact on the performance of a referee , which ultimately has the most influence on their perceived credibility . ' Officials will wear red or blue for the new season , which starts this , in a move that has been criticised . There was also a suggestion that the NRL risked alienating the gay community and breast cancer awareness campaigners . Dr Tom Heenean , from the Natonal Centre for Australian Studies , told the BBC it was a move away from 'social inclusion . ' 'If you are wanting a more inclusive football community you have to be more aware of the symbolisms of marginal groups within that community , ' he said .
Australian NRL officials had been wearing pink jerseys . But Rugby League chiefs have decided to switch to blue or red . Referees had complained the pink shirts made it hard to enforce discipline .