Just a Fake: China Did NOT Reject Another Incredible Dragon-Themed Nike Kit

Mar 29, 2023

by Footy Headlines

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Update It turns out that the supposedly rejected China 2022 away jersey is just a fake, based on a online concept by sicknickdesign459. It's therefore all but confirmed that the pictured shirt is simply a fake based on the concept and not a real Nike design.

In 2018 the Chinese FA rejected a fantastic black kit with a dragon motif by Nike, and according to Hong Kong based kit collector @j.err_seys_futbol, the same thing happened last year with another great looking shirt.

Chinese FA Reject Stunning Nike Kit

In 2018 Nike created a black kit for China with yellow trim and a tonal pattern of dragons all over. It was set for release and even appeared briefly on Nike's website before being pulled as the Chinese FA rejected the design at the last minute. It seems that history has repeated itself, if @j.err_seys_futbol's information is correct. He explains that in 2022 the country's FA once again vetoed another dragon-themed kit on the basis that it's aesthetic is too similar to tattoo-style art.

Tattoos have been historically associated with organised crime groups in China, and in 2021 the FA even banned national team players from getting tattoos and advised them to have any existing ones removed. The 2022 home and away shirts that the Chinese FA approved were much tamer than the dragon kit, which you can check out below.

China 2022 Rejected Kit

This is the rejected China 2022 jersey, made by Nike.

The Nike China 2022 jersey is black with detailed pattern of yellow dragons and clouds on the torso, back and sleeves. The dragons are absent from the section above the curved seam that covers the shoulders.

A red crew neck collar and matching cuffs seal the design in while the Swoosh and Chinese FA badge combine the two accent colours of red and yellow, with a red font for the names and numbers and special detailing within those on the back.