UEFA Kit Rules That Force Teams To Change Kit Designs Most Often
Oct 29, 2020, by Chris
The 2020-2021 UEFA Champions League and Europa League are in full swing, with the first three match days being played within three weeks due to the COVID-19 situation. Many teams are not allowed to wear the same kits as in domestic competitions due to UEFA's Equipment Regulations - we take a look at some of the teams that had to change their kit & why they had to change it.
UEFA Equipment Regulations - In Action In 2020-2021 Season
The reason for teams forced to wear different jerseys than domestically are the UEFA Equipment Regulations. The UEFA Equipment Regulations define all parts of the equipment worn by teams and players, including the jerseys. The current UEFA Equipment Regulations consist of 68 pages and more 59 Articles.
There are various reasons why teams have to change their jerseys in UEFA competitions. We take a look at the rules that are broken most often.
Sponsors
The most often reason for teams to change their kit for UEFA competitions are the UEFA sponsor regulations.
UEFA has strict regulations of the number of shirt sponsors (only one on the front & a non-commercial on the lower back) as well as the size of sponsors. Sleeve sponsors are not allowed as well.
UEFA also does not allow tobacco & strong alcohol advertising (more than 15% vol). However, if teams do not wear their regular sponsor (sponsor-free) kit, that is most not because of UEFA regulations but because of the laws of the countries in team's away matches.
Betting sponsors are not allowed in the Netherlands - Valencia had to wear a sponsor-free shirt (instead of bwin)
Wrong Numbers
Logically, UEFA does also have rules for the kit font, both to guarantee a good visibility and a "non-wrong" appearance. In example, UEFA logically does not allow teams to wear numbers with other league symbols. Numbers must contrast enough to the shirt for a good visibility.
Wrong Back Of Kits
UEFA's regulations for the back of shirts might be the most strange ones. While teams have to have a plain space for the shirt numbers (AS Roma was not allowed to have their lollipop design on the back of the shirt), striped / checkered kits are nit allowed to be totally plain.
So kits both have to feature the design of the front but only in the parts not required for numbers & names - the lower part.
In example, teams whose kit did not feature a UEFA confirm back of shirt in 20-21 are AS Roma, cetlic and Olympiakos.
Bad Contrast Of Elements (Contrast)
The most logical rule might be the bad visibility of kits caused by a bad contrast of elements. In example, UEFA did not allow Bayern Munich to have Infrared numbers on their 2020-21 away kit, in contrast to the German Bundesliga.
Color Clashes - Bad Distinguishability Of Opponents
Barcelona Wear Third Third Kit Combination Already This Season
The rule that is applied for every match is the one about color choices and combination - teams therefore often have to create special shorts & socks or mix up their kits (Granada did that away against Alkmaar this October)
Granada wore their away kit with blue home shorts
Check out the full UEFA Equipment Regulations
What do you think of UEFA's Equipment Regulations? Have we missed any important rule that forces teams to change the design of their playing attire? Comment below, and see the full UEFA Equipment Regulations.
No More Volt: Reebok Santa Cruz 26-27 Third Kit Released
Brazilian club Santa Cruz FC and Reebok have officially unveiled the team's new third kit for the 26-27 season. Titled "A Profecia de 57", the special-edition release celebrates two defining moments in the club's history: the 1957 anthem written by Capiba that coined the nickname "O Terror do Nordeste", and the 2016 Copa do Nordeste title that fulfilled the prophecy ten years ago.
The Reebok Santa Cruz 26-27 third jersey introduces an elegant black and gold design. Across the black base, intricate golden fractured lines trace the geographical outline of Brazil's Northeast region. The front of the shirt features Santa Cruz's classic interlocking SCFC monogram badge rendered in metallic gold, mirrored by Reebok's vector logo on the opposite side. A sharp v-neck collar with gold trim and matching sleeve cuffs complete the look.
Subtle commemorative emblems highlighting "A Profecia de 57" and "O Terror do Nordeste" decorate the release alongside gold numbering on the reverse. Matching black shorts and socks with gold accents complete the new Santa Cruz third uniform.
Club Africain 26-27 Third Kit Released
Following the unveiling of their home kit earlier two weeks ago, Tunisian giants Club Africain and technical sponsor Kelme have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 campaign.
The Kelme Club Africain 26-27 third jersey delivers a sleek and stealthy design, featuring a black base elevated by an intricate tonal graphic pattern with calligraphic undertones across the front and sleeves. Strong contrast comes via the classic fold-over collar, styled in red with thin white tipping, matched by solid red sleeve cuffs. Below the rear collar, the shirt includes the club motto "Beyond the last breath" stamped in red.
The shirt is finished with white details for the Kelme paw logo and front sponsor Ooredoo, sitting alongside the traditional red and white Club Africain crest. Matching black shorts and socks complete the full look for the Tunisian side.
Adidas Marseille 27-28
No more Puma - the return of the Three Stripes. More about the Marseille 27-28 kits very soon on Footy Headlines (and already on Kit Creator).
Boca Juniors Tribute: Sint-Truiden 26-27 European Kit Released
Belgian Pro League club Sint-Truidense VV has officially unveiled its new European kit for the 26-27 season, produced by regional brand Olympic. The special strip was revealed during the premiere of the club documentary 'Expeditie Kanarie: de weg naar Europa' at CC De Bogaard, celebrating STVV's historic first qualification for the main stages of European competition in club history.
The Olympic Sint-Truiden 26-27 European jersey draws heavy inspiration from Boca Juniors while paying tribute to the club's iconic late-1980s 'BT-shirt'. It features a royal blue base highlighted by a bold yellow horizontal chest band that accommodates the Maruhan sponsor logo. The STVV crest and Olympic branding are centered neatly above the chest stripe, complemented by yellow trim along the V-neck collar and sleeve cuffs. Matching blue shorts and yellow socks complete the look.
Sint-Truiden will wear the new kit throughout their 26-27 UEFA Conference League league phase campaign, where their fixtures include matchups against Ajax, Hajduk Split, SK Brann, FC Midtjylland, FC Lugano, and FC Iberia 1999 Tbilisi.
