Why Teams Wear League Badges and Many Sponsors Logos in UEFA Champions League Qualifier Rounds
As is the case every season, the UEFA club competitions are amongst the first to kick off, in the form of various qualifier rounds. You may have noticed this year or in previous years that most clubs wear the domestic league versions of their kits. Let us take a look at why this is the case.
UEFA Do Not Enforce Kit Regulations Everywhere
UEFA do not yet enforce all of their kit regulations in the first rounds of qualifiers. In the Champions League this is the case up until before the play-offs, in the Europa League and Conference League until before the group stages.
Sturm Graz wear full league appearance
The reasoning behind is likely to benefit smaller teams, such as the ones in the first round of qualifying. They may originate from San Marino or Cyprus and are unlikely to have much of a run in the tournament.
No UCL Ball or patches
Forcing such a large number of small clubs to undergo all the regular kit rules would be unnecessary, condsidering the regulations go beyond just the jerseys. They include bibs for players, branding/advertising in stadiums, match balls and much more.
UCL Ball but no patches
Most clubs participating in the early rounds of qualifying gladly accept these exemptions, simply wearing their regular league kits with full sponsors.
Once UEFA are guaranteed more eyes on their events, it makes sense that they want their equipment and advertising regulations to be followed. The slightly inconsistent look in the early rounds is merely a minor inconvenience.
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