FIFA Equipment Regulations - Three Infamous Kit Cases
Dec 11, 2017, by Chris
Some days ago, we took a detailed look at FIFA's 104-page Equipment Regulations guide which defines what manufactures are allowed and not allowed with their jersey designs for the 2018 World Cup. Now we want to take a look at some of the most famous examples of FIFA banning kits / forces teams to release new kits.
2002-2004: Puma's 'Revolutionary' Sleeveless & Puma's One-Piece Are Banned
More than a decade ago, Puma successfully maximized attention provoking FIFA by releasing 'revolutionary' shirts that breach with the designs of traditional football jerseys. Puma partnered Cameroon National Team arrived at the Africa Cup of Nations without sleeves and won the 2002 Africa Cup. FIFA banned these shirts after the tournament.
In 2004, the "Indomitable Lions" followed up with their equally controversial one-piece PUMA UniQT, which removed unnecessary bulk and limited shirt-grabs by opponents. FIFA punishes the team by revoking six points in the qualification for the 2006 World Cup and imposes a fine. PUMA launches a public campaign in support of Cameroon and sues FIFA against the prohibition of the jersey. The legal dispute ends with a compromise and a shared donation to a football development project in Cameroon.
Puma's 'experiments' led FIFA to introduce restrictive kit rules
However, all this lead FIFA to make their kit rules more strict than they had been before. In example, to avoid such situations moving forward, FIFA now requires manufacturers to submit all designs one year in advance.
Principle of Light & Dark Shirts - Spain 2014 World Cup Home & Away Kits Not Different Enough
In the 2014 World Cup, FIFA was not happy with the colors of Spain's 2014 World home and away kits because they would be too similar (Principle of light and dark shirts). FIFA therefore forced Adidas to release a special one-off all-white third kit that was not sold to public.
Adidas, Spain's equipment supplier, said back then that "FIFA has expressly mandated" it to supply Spain with white jerseys for the defending champions' opener against the Dutch on June 13. The shorts and socks of the new Spain 2014 World Cup Third Kit are white with red accents.
However, what might be even more interesting and quite insane is that Spain faced Netherlands just four years earlier, in the 2014 World Cup final, wearing their navy away kit against Netherlands' orange home kit. In fact, Cameroon also wore an unknown white kit in a friendly a few days ahead of the 2014 World Cup. The shirt was not used in the 2014 World Cup, however.
Sleeves Must Be Identical in Color - France Euro 2016 Away Kit
18 months ago in the Euro 2016 in France, Nike had to produce a special all-white kit for France featuring almost all-white sleeves instead of the blue and red sleeves because UEFA was not happy.
Do you know other examples when teams were required to change their kit / release a new kit because of Kit Regulations? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Austria Lustenau Release Special-Edition 26-27 "Vintage" Kit
Austrian club SC Austria Lustenau has unveiled a special-edition jersey, dubbed the "Vintage" kit, created in collaboration with Italian brand Erreà. The limited-edition shirt was launched for the friendly match against German giants FC Schalke 04 at the Sun Minimeal Arena.
The Erreà Austria Lustenau 26-27 "Vintage" jersey comes in an off-white cream base adorned with a subtle all-over floral damask pattern. It is complemented by a dark green polo collar with dual gold pinstripes, an aesthetic echoed on the matching ribbed sleeve cuffs. To complete the clean retro look, the club crest, Erreà chest logo, and Sun Minimeal front sponsor are all rendered in monochrome dark green.
On the back, the retro styling continues with an elegant serif typeface in green for the player names and squad numbers. The release represents another custom design from Erreà in their first season outfitting the Austrian side, after taking over the club's technical contract ahead of the 26-27 campaign.
Betting Ban: Brazilian Club Vila Nova Announce BYD Main Shirt Sponsor Deal
Brazilian club Vila Nova FC has officially announced Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD as its new primary front-of-shirt sponsor. Described by the club as the largest commercial partnership in its history, the agreement places the BYD logo prominently on the chest of the team's Volt Sport kits through the end of 2026, with an option to extend into 2027.
The sponsorship is executed in collaboration with Saga, an authorized dealership network representing BYD in Brazil, whose small logo appears directly underneath the main BYD mark. The automotive manufacturer replaces previous shirt sponsor Bet da Sorte, following a wave of regulatory restrictions on betting companies operating in Brazilian football.
Currently fighting at the top of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B table and chasing promotion to the top flight, Vila Nova is set to debut the redesigned shirts immediately. The landmark agreement secures vital financial stability for the club's promotion push while expanding BYD's growing footprint across South American football.
Legia Warsaw Release First Adidas Originals Collection in Decades
Legia Warsaw and Adidas have officially launched an all-new Originals lifestyle collection, marking the club's first dedicated project under the iconic Trefoil banner in decades. The retro-infused streetwear range draws heavily on vintage terrace fashion and archival sportswear aesthetics.
Rendered in Legia's traditional palette of green, white, and black, the drop includes classic full-zip track jackets, hoodies, track pants, and t-shirts. Every piece is detailed with Adidas' signature Trefoil logo and prominent Three Stripes down the sleeves and legs. Fans are also treated to two distinct badge options across the garments, with items arriving with either the club's modern crest or the iconic circular 'eLka' emblem.
The Adidas Originals Legia Warsaw collection is available now through the club's official online fan store and selected physical locations. Prices range from 259 PLN for t-shirts to 419 PLN (60-95 EUR) for the full-zip track tops.
