The article says that the players believed the distraction had an impact on the game, that doesn’t mean it did, it just means that the players (post facto) believe that it did.

That is not the same thing. The only time a uniform ever makes a real difference in a game is if there is some tactical issue like the wrong cleats for rain/snow or players not being able to see each other. Uniforms make mental differences just like wearing your lucky jock strap or a voodoo doll because you let it get in your head, nothing tactical.