Premier League Rules Explained: Here Is Why Manchester City Did Not Have to Change Shorts Against Manchester United
Dec 13, 2020, by Chris
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.
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.
From a referee's perspective, shorts don't matter. We only require shirts and socks to differ.
— B Mac (@bmckay22) December 12, 2020
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.
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
Should have Manchester City be required to wear alternative shorts or the away / third kit? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Nottingham Forest Announce Marex Front-of-Shirt Sponsorship Deal
Nottingham Forest have officially announced a multi-year Principal Partnership with global financial services platform Marex. Starting with the 26-27 season, Marex will serve as the club's new front-of-shirt sponsor, replacing gambling brand Bally's. The agreement is reported to be worth approximately £25 million over a three-year period.
The clean Marex wordmark and arrow logo will be featured across the front of the Nottingham Forest men's and women's first-team playing and replica kits, as well as the club's netball team dresses. In addition to primary kit placement, Marex will become Forest's official Global Markets Partner and exclusive provider of foreign exchange and financial services.
The announcement resolves Forest's search for a principal partner just ahead of the new Premier League campaign, following a pre-season without a front-of-shirt sponsor. The transition also aligns with the Premier League's upcoming voluntary ban on gambling companies occupying front-of-shirt sponsorship inventory.
Kyoto Sanga 26-27 AFC Champions League Elite Home Kit Released
J1 League side Kyoto Sanga have officially revealed their new home kit for the 26-27 AFC Champions League Elite season, made by Puma.
Compared to the domestic home kit, this new design features a colder shade of purple, decorated with a half-tone diamond pattern across the base. The strip uses a simple template from Puma, pairing the purple jersey with black shorts and purple shorts.
What do you think of the Kyoto Sanga 26-27 ACLE home kit by Puma? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Port FC 26-27 Third Kit Released
Thai League 1 club Port FC have officially unveiled their new 2026-27 third kit. Made by Japanese brand Mizuno, the new shirt completes the club's kit lineup for the upcoming campaign.
The Mizuno Port FC 2026-27 third shirt features a black and white base with a bold halftone dot gradient across the front and back. Solid black sleeves frame the design, while segmented black and white detailing appears on the V-neck collar and sleeve cuffs. The club crest, Mizuno logo and sponsor branding complete the look.
What do you think of the new Port FC 2026-27 third kit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Limited-Edition Dundalk FC 100-Year Centenary Kit Released
Dundalk FC and Macron have officially launched a special limited-edition centenary jersey to celebrate 100 years of the club's membership in the League of Ireland (1926–2026). Designed by Killian Walsh and Sean Cotter, the one-off kit pays tribute to a century of history with a refined retro aesthetic.
The shirt arrives in a clean long-sleeve cut, featuring a white base detailed with subtle dark pinstripes and finished with a classic black polo collar and matching cuffs. A standout feature is the bespoke centenary crest on the left chest, which draws inspiration from historical club emblems with a modern take on Dundalk's traditional martlet birds. To maintain the vintage look, the Macron Hero and sponsor branding appear in tonal and subtle treatments across the chest.
The Dundalk FC Centenary shirt is available in limited quantities through the club's official online store and at the Oriel Park club shop in both adult and kids' sizes.
OFI Crete 26-27 Home Kit Released
Greek Super League side OFI Crete and Puma have officially unveiled the club's new home kit for the 2026-27 season. Completing the club's full wardrobe for the campaign following the earlier releases of their away, third, and fourth strips, the new design delivers a bold and classic look.
The Puma OFI Crete 26-27 home shirt is predominantly black, highlighted by a prominent white chevron across the upper chest. The sharp V-shaped graphic is framed with subtle grey bordering. Sitting cleanly within the white block are a black Puma cat logo on the right side and the club's circular crest on the left, which is topped with two commemorative stars.
White Betsson sponsor lettering runs across the front directly beneath the chevron. The kit is built on Puma dryCELL moisture-wicking technology and is complemented by matching black shorts and socks to round off the on-pitch look.
Juventus Announce Yokohama Tyres Partnership
Juventus and Japanese tyre manufacturer Yokohama Tyres have officially agreed on a new multi-year partnership, with Yokohama becoming an Official Partner of the Bianconeri. The deal forms a key part of the Japanese company's broader strategy to accelerate its brand awareness and expansion across Europe.
As part of the agreement, Yokohama will receive prominent exposure at the Allianz Stadium during Juventus home matches, including pitch-side LED screen advertising, in-stadium branding, and hospitality access. The partnership will also encompass integrated digital activations and fan engagement initiatives across Juventus' global social media ecosystem.
Football kit enthusiasts will best remember Yokohama Tyres as Chelsea's primary front-of-shirt sponsor from 2015 to 2020 (15-20). While the new agreement with Juventus is an official club partnership rather than a kit sponsorship, it marks a significant return for the brand into elite European football.
Cape Town City 26-27 Home Kit Draws Striking Boca Juniors Comparisons
South African club Cape Town City and Umbro have officially unveiled their new home kit for the 26-27 season to mark ten years of club heritage. Shortly after the launch, shirt enthusiasts quickly pointed out the undeniable resemblance to another high-profile release from earlier this month: Boca Juniors' 26-27 home kit.
Both jerseys rely on the exact same core aesthetic, combining a rich blue base with a prominent, wide yellow horizontal band across the chest. While Adidas crafted Boca's traditional look with yellow three stripes on the shoulders and a classic collar, Umbro opted for distinct yellow shoulder paneling and collar trims for Cape Town City. Both shirts also feature dark blue central sponsor branding running right across the yellow chest stripe.
While blue and yellow are integral to Cape Town City's visual identity, adopting the iconic chest band format gives the South African side an uncanny resemblance to the Argentine giants. Intentional homage or pure coincidence, the design delivers a bold and memorable aesthetic for the upcoming campaign.
Cape Town City 26-27 Home Kit Released
South African Premier Soccer League side Cape Town City FC have officially unveiled their new home kit for the 2026-27 season. Manufactured by Umbro, the strip marks a milestone moment for the club under the campaign tagline "Built on ten years of heritage. Still unmistakably City."
The Umbro Cape Town City 26-27 home shirt features the club's signature royal blue base complemented by a bold yellow chest band, evoking a classic football aesthetic. Yellow detailing also frames the collar and neckline inserts, while subtle textural striping runs horizontally across the body. The Umbro logo, club crest, and main sponsor SportPesa are integrated cleanly across the chest in matching yellow and blue tones.
Matching blue shorts and socks are expected to complete the full 2026-27 home look for the Citizens.