Rule Breach?! Wayne Rooney Gets No. 32 Kit Because Of Shirt Sponsor
Aug 11, 2019, by Chris
Some days ago, English Championship club Derby County announced they signing of Wayne Rooney from MLS team DC United. The club decided to give Wayne Rooney the number 32 squad shirt as part of an apparent partnership with main sponsor and betting firm 32Red.
Now The Telegraph exclusively reports that the deal could come under scrutiny by the Football Association.
Wayne Rooney's No. 32 Kit Forbidden Because It Is A Second Sponsor Logo?
Under current regulations, clubs are allowed to designate "one single area not exceeding 100 square centimetres on the back of the shirt" to any sponsor. The decision to give Rooney the 32 shirt in association with betting firm 32Red could be interpreted by the FA as a potential breach in the rules.
Derby can only be approached by the governing body after Rooney takes the field in January, and the promotion effectively becomes live. The FA is understood to be aware and monitoring the situation.
Both Derby County and Neil Banbury, 32Red’s general manager, confirmed Rooney's surprise transfer from DC United was helped by a sponsorship tie-in. "This record-breaking sponsorship agreement is a significant step for us as we continue to reinvent the model of sponsorship to benefit both club and community," Banbury said.
A spokesman for 32Red said that its company logo "will not reside there during the season, and the only location of the 32Red logo will be on the front of the shirt".
Telegraph Sport understands the Gambling Commission has already sought clarity over the situation from 32Red.
"We expect licensees to ensure that when agreeing commercial deals with sports clubs, that all parties are aware of, and compliant with, the relevant advertising and sponsorship rules and regulations," a statement added.
Rooney will have a player-coach role under manager Phillip Cocu. Rooney takes the No 32 shirt despite 7, 12, 13, 15 and 18 - the number he wore in his first spell at Everton - being vacant. Rooney will earn around £100,000 a week.
"To be honest, the number that I wear is not a big deal," England's record goalscorer said. "I've worn many numbers. For me, the important thing was to come back and help the team."
Derby owner Mel Morris defended the deal with 32Red, saying he was keen to "leverage Wayne's involvement". He added: "Obviously, the commercial opportunities this creates are widespread and significant."
But Caborn, who brought in the 2005 Gambling Act, said the partnership was embarrassing. "It's not very clever this - it all seems a bit crass," he told Telegraph Sport. "Wayne Rooney, who has got kids himself, should perhaps know this is not the brightest."
Half of the 20 Premier League clubs will have gambling companies as their shirt sponsors this season and 14 out of 24 sides in the Sky Bet Championship.
Wayne Rooney has also come under fire from Dr Alan Smith, the Bishop of St Albans who said he had to put fans before his bank balance.
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Al-Ittihad 26-27 Home Kit Leaked?
A picture of a potential Al-Ittihad 26-27 kit has been shared online, sparking discussion about whether it could be the Saudi club's new jersey. The image was originally posted by the Arabic kit account @MidanAlAtqam on X, featuring a design that could potentially serve as the next shirt for the team.
At this stage, we cannot verify the authenticity of the design.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates if more concrete information regarding the new Al-Ittihad kit becomes available.
Everton 26-27 Away Kit Leaked
Everton's new 26-27 away kit has been leaked in an unusual way, appearing early on a massive advertising billboard ahead of its official release. Pictures of the public advertisement have surfaced online, giving fans an early look at what Castore has designed for the club's upcoming campaign on the road. With the home kit having already launched earlier in July, the away shirt has been the next highly anticipated release for supporters.
The Everton 26-27 away kit introduces a classic pinstripes design
Leicester City 26-27 Away Kit Released
The Leicester City 26-27 away kit has been officially released today. Produced by Adidas, the new away shirt introduces a retro-inspired design and is currently available to purchase at the club's pop-up shop.
The Adidas Leicester City 26-27 away football shirt is predominantly maroon. The standout features of the kit are its classic branding elements, utilizing the iconic Adidas Trefoil logo alongside a retro leaping fox crest in place of the standard modern club badge.
This launch confirms earlier leaks and places Leicester City among the select Adidas clubs to receive the classic Trefoil logo for their alternative kits during the 26-27 season. The vintage aesthetic has been well-received by fans following the official reveal.
Hertha BSC 26-27 Away Kit Revealed
The new Hertha BSC 26-27 away kit has been revealed. Made by Castore, the new away shirt will be worn during the upcoming 2. Bundesliga season.
The Castore Hertha Berlin 26-27 away jersey introduces a fresh look for the club. It is navy with a blue and white design that, in our opinion, looks like a screensaver.
What are your thoughts on the new Hertha BSC 26-27 away kit by Castore? Let us know in the comments.
Norway Debut Third Variant for 2026 World Cup Home Kit
Norway debuted a third variation of their home kit during the Quarter-final match against England. This marks their 5th different kit combination at the 2026 World Cup.
With this, Norway joins Colombia as teams with the second-most kit variations used in a single World Cup. France still holds the record, having used 6 different combinations during the 2018 World Cup. Big thanks to our partner @jerseystory_vn for spotting this and creating the graphic.
Norway Fix Home Kit Font Mistake at 2026 World Cup
After being spotted printing their away nameset (featuring a black crest) on the home shirt during the Round of 16 match against Brazil, Norway corrected the mistake in their recent match against England, using in the correct home nameset (featuring original crest).
Huge thanks for @jerseystory_vn for the collage.
Ankara Keçiörengücü 2026-27 Home, Away & Third Kits Released
Turkish 1. Lig club Ankara Keçiörengücü have officially unveiled the new 2026-27 home, away and third kits. Made by Hummel, the collection is released under the theme "Three Kits, Three Stories".
The home shirt features the club's traditional purple and white stripes. The away shirt combines white and red with bold brushstroke graphics, while the third shirt keeps things simple with a clean purple design and tonal horizontal stripes.
According to the club, each kit tells a different story. The home shirt is inspired by Keçiören Waterfall, symbolizing strength and an unyielding fighting spirit. The away kit pays tribute to Ankara Castle, representing courage, resilience and determination, while the third kit celebrates freedom, limitless ambition and the courage to look toward the future.
What do you think of the new Ankara Keçiörengücü 2026-27 kits? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
