U.S. Soccer recently provided clarification regarding FIFA’s amending of the Laws of the Game to include the statement that "Jerseys must have sleeves" (Law 4, International FA Board Decision 1).

According to U.S. Soccer, the intent of the rule change is intended to deter player efforts to alter their jersey in any way.

U.S. Soccer also offered guidelines for enforcing this new rule, which include:

1. The sleeve must be recognizable as a genuine extension of the armhole of the uniform shirt being worn and able to perform the function of a sleeve commonly accepted in everyday wear. 
2. Players may not alter their uniform by cutting off the sleeve or shortening it significantly. 
3. Referees are asked to call player attention to these requirements if uniforms are altered, just as they would if shirts were not tucked in or socks not pulled up. 
4. Details regarding jerseys which have no sleeves or shortened sleeves should be included in the referee's match report submitted to the competition authority.  However, since this is not a safety issue, a team or an individual player must not be prevented from playing solely for this reason. 
5. Finally, as a member of FIFA, we are obliged to follow their rule changes, however, we ask that you use common sense and good judgement on the application of this rule change.

Until U.S. Soccer has the opportunity to formally present the impact of this situation to the necessary officials, it is working with the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association as well as directly with FIFA on the sleeveless jersey subject. Until then, U.S. Soccer has taken the position that sleeveless jerseys are okay for now.