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Premier League Rules Explained: Here Is Why Manchester City Did Not Have to Change Shorts Against Manchester United

If you watched the Manchester Derby yesterday evening, you might have wondered why both Manchester United and Manchester City were allowed to wear 'clashing' white shorts - let us find it out.

Embed from Getty Images

The regulations for kit choices and clashes are defined in the 2020-2021 Premier League Handbook. There are rules for almost everything such as how many kits a team is allowed to release, and of course also a specific section for Kit Choices.

Premier League Kit Rules Allow Shorts To Be Of Same Color If There Is "Sufficient Contrast"

As defined in M.22 of the Premier League regulations, "when playing in League Matches the Players of each participating Club shall wear a Strip which is of a sufficient contrast that Match Officials, spectators and television viewers will be able to distinguish clearly between the two teams". So it is not defined that the shorts and socks are not allowed to be of the same color.

It are the away teams who have to inform the Premier Legaue which shirt they want to wear

In fact, it are the Premier League away teams who have to inform the league which it they do want to wear, as defined in M.24.

Uniforms just have to "ensure sufficient contrast"
M.24. At least 10 days prior to each League Match the Visiting Club shall notify the Home Club and the League (by such means as advised by the Board from time to time) of the Strip it intends its Players (including for the avoidance of doubt its goalkeeper) to wear.The League may (if necessary) require one or both Clubs to wear different shirts and/or shorts and/or socks from more than one of their respective registered Strips to ensure sufficient contrast, as required by Rule M.22.
From a referee's perspective, shorts don't matter

For referees, it is only sufficient that just the shirt and socks do not clash, the shorts do not play a role.

This stands in contrast to the kit rules of UEFA, which requires the Shirt AND Shorts AND Socks to be of contrasting colors.

M.22 also defines the order in which the kits for the players and keepers are chosen.

M.22.1. 1st priority: the outfield players of the Home Club who shall wear their home Strip;

M.22.2. 2nd priority: the outfield players of the Visiting Club;

M.22.3. 3rd priority: the Home Club goalkeeper; and

M.22.4. 4th priority: the Visiting Club goalkeeper.

Premier League clubs are informed at least three working days ahead of the match of the shirts being worn.

Embed from Getty Images
M.25. The League, in consultation with PGMOL acting on behalf of the referee, will determine any disputes arising between Clubs and no later than three working days prior to each League Match notify both Clubs and the Match Officials of the colours to be worn

Premier League Kit Choices - Process

  • At least 10 days ahead of match: Visiting Club Informs League Which Kit They Want To Wear (Home Team shall always wear home kit)
  • League (in consultation with EPL referee body) may require one / both teams to change strips to ensure sufficient contrast
  • At least three working days ahead of match: League informs clubs which uniforms will be worn
  • Ahead Of Match Day: Premier League publishes Kit Choices Of All Matches
Embed from Getty Images

Should have Manchester City be required to wear alternative shorts or the away / third kit? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

2026 World Cup Kit Overview

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Derbystar Austrian Bundesliga 26-27 Match Ball Revealed

The Austrian ADMIRAL Bundesliga and technical partner Derbystar have officially unveiled the new official match ball for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. The new ball already made an early on-pitch debut last weekend during the crucial final round of the current campaign. Starting next season, the new design will be used uniformly across the top-flight ADMIRAL Bundesliga, the 2. Liga, and the Frauen-Bundesliga.

The Derbystar Austrian Bundesliga 26-27 match ball is heavily inspired by the ultimate goal of the domestic season: the championship trophy. Moving away from the vibrant magenta and turquoise of the previous campaign, the 26-27 ball features a classic black-and-white base enhanced by modern graphic applications.

The artwork intricately incorporates depictions of the trophies from all three participating leagues. Crucially, the design pays a special tribute to the iconic gold "Meisterteller" (Champions Plate), specifically celebrating the 50th anniversary of the famous trophy's first-ever presentation to the league winners back in 1977.

In addition to the standard primary match ball, Derbystar has also developed a vibrant High-Visible variant specifically designed for optimal tracking during poor weather or snowy winter conditions.

What do you think of this trophy-inspired black and white design for the new Austrian Bundesliga ball? Let us know in the comments below.

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Decathlon Serie C 26-27 Ball Released

Lega Pro and sporting goods retailer Decathlon have officially presented the new Official Match Ball for the upcoming 2026-2027 Serie C season.

The Serie C 2026-2027 match ball boasts a very striking look, "inspired by the concept of energy, reflecting the intense passion and movement that characterizes the third tier of Italian football".

The highly refractive optical white base is decorated with dynamic, futuristic graphics featuring a chromatic texture that fades from cobalt blue to bright red, which is further highlighted by vibrant neon yellow accents.

What are your thoughts on the striking design of the new Decathlon Serie C match ball? Let us know in the comments below.

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Kit Incoming? Stunning Adidas Inter Miami 2026 Retro Jacket Leaked

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Benfica 26-27 Away Anthem Jacket Leaked - Official Look

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Arsenal 26-27 Away Anthem Jacket Leaked

We can give you the first look at the Adidas Arsenal 26-27 away anthem jacket. It features the streamlined template of Adidas# 2026 away anthem jackets, plus colors inspired by the kit.

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Adidas Italy 1992 Retro T-Shirt Leaked

We can leak the first images of a new Adidas Italy retro lifestyle t-shirt.

As part of a wider Originals collection aimed at national teams, this new piece brings a strong 1990s aesthetic back to the modern era. The release highlights the German brand's continuing strategy of mining its extensive design archives to create bespoke, off-pitch apparel for its top-tier federations.

The Adidas Italy retro t-shirt features a clean, off-white base color that immediately establishes a classic throwback feel. Drawing direct inspiration from the colors of the Italian national flag, the shirt incorporates striking green, white and red geometric blocks.

Adding heavily to the nostalgic appeal, the chest displays a centralized logo arrangement, featuring a classic Adidas wordmark and Trefoil paired with a faithful recreation of the historic Italian Football Federation crest used throughout the early 1990s.

Other Adidas federations will get the same range in their colors.

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Adidas Germany 'Alternate History' 1992 Retro Jacket Leaked

We have the first image of a unique new Adidas Germany retro jacket, showcasing an intriguing new approach from the sportswear brand.

While the design instantly evokes strong nostalgia for the 1990s, this upcoming release is actually an "alternate history" creation. Despite its highly authentic vintage appearance and period-accurate details, this specific track jacket never actually existed in the official Adidas catalogues during the 1990s, making it a brand new addition to their retro-focused lifestyle collection.

To achieve this convincing old-school aesthetic, Adidas has utilized their classic 1992 template as the structural foundation for the design. The garment features a vibrant green base that heavily nods to Germany's traditional away kits of the era. The colors of the German national flag are cleverly completed on the sleeves through large geometric blocks that also recreate the 3 stripes.

The same jacket will also be released for Spain and other Adidas national teams.

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Jesse Lingard Wears 'J Lingz' on His Corinthians Kit

Former Manchester United and England midfielder Jesse Lingard yesterday night wore a unique name on the back of his shirt for his current club, Corinthians.

During the Brazilian side's Copa do Brasil clash against Barra FC, Lingard took to the pitch with his popular moniker, 'J Lingz', printed above his squad number. Rather than a permanent vanity choice by the 33-year-old, this unusual kit alteration was part of a coordinated, team-wide initiative where all Corinthians players swapped their traditional names for their recognizable nicknames.

The temporary name changes were implemented as part of a promotional campaign for Brazil's Generic Drug Day, which is officially celebrated on May 20th. Driven by pharmaceutical brand Hypera, the initiative aimed to highlight the importance and reliability of generic medications in public health. By replacing the players' standard names with their nicknames, the club and the sponsor sought to creatively demonstrate that even if the name on the back is different, the player - and by extension, the generic medication - delivers the exact same performance and effect.

Lingard joined the Brazilian giants in March following a stint in South Korea with FC Seoul.

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Liverpool 26-27 Away Kit Leaked - Player + Keeper

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Puma Serie A 26-27 Ball Revealed

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Puma La Liga 26-27 Ball Revealed

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Puma 26-27 Premier League Ball Revealed

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