Saudi Club Al-Ittihad Copies AIK Kit & Uses Unlicensed Font in 97th Anniversary Shirt
Jul 11, 2025, by Chris
- Kit Design Theft: Al-Ittihad's 97th-anniversary kit is a direct copy of AIK's 2019 design, including the typeface.
- Font License Violation: Al-Ittihad used the 'AIK ErikHolm' font, created by Erik Holm, for commercial purposes without obtaining the necessary license.
- Lack of Communication: Al-Ittihad did not contact Erik Holm for permission or licensing before using his font on their anniversary shirt, despite being a club majority-owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Al-Ittihad’s recently unveiled 97th anniversary kit heavily borrows from AIK’s 2019 design, right down to the typeface.
Al-Ittihad not only released one but a set of three differently colored anniversary kits.
Al-Ittihad 97th Nike Anniversary Kits Are Clear AIK Copy
Erik Holm, a Swedish designer and former Head of Social Media at AIK, took to LinkedIn to call out the Saudi Pro League club for using his custom-designed font “AIK ErikHolm” without permission. The font, created over a decade ago as a passion project, has been central to AIK’s acclaimed kit aesthetics in recent years and is downloadable for free personal use on DaFont, with clear terms stating that commercial use requires a license.
Holm says Al-Ittihad lifted the font directly to display the number “1927” on the chest of their anniversary shirt — a design detail that mirrors AIK’s 2019 release both in styling and spirit. “They didn’t contact me. No email. No message. No license,” Holm wrote. “Just… took it. And started selling thousands and thousands of shirts with it.”
The color scheme, styling, and presentation are practically identical to AIK’s famous kits.
The controversy is further magnified by Al-Ittihad’s backing: the club is majority-owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which also owns Newcastle United and other Saudi clubs. Holm didn’t hold back, referring to the situation as the “world’s richest family stealing a hobby project.”
As of now, Al-Ittihad has not issued a response.
Bala Town 26-27 Home Kit Released
Welsh club Bala Town FC and Macron have officially revealed the new home kit for the 26-27 season. The new strip introduces a clean, classic design for the Lakesiders as they prepare for the campaign ahead.
The Macron Bala Town 26-27 home shirt features a clean white base paired with subtle, faint horizontal pinstripes running across the front. Dark navy accents provide contrast along the sleeve cuffs and the distinctive collar, which includes multi-stripe ribbing and a dark triangular insert at the front.
Completing the look, the Macron logo is placed on the right chest, with the Bala Town club crest featured on the left and main sponsor Aykroyds displayed across the center. The new home uniform is now available through the club's official shop.
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The new Ligue 3 sleeve patch features a rectangular structure with a dark textured background enclosed by a thin border. The word LIGUE appears at the top in clean white lettering above a large stylized geometric 3 emblem. A vibrant red strip at the bottom showcases title sponsor Betclic in white text, bringing a modern and standardized look to the third tier.
This update marks an important moment for French football as the division transitions to full professional status for the 26-27 campaign. All 18 competing clubs in Ligue 3 Betclic will wear the new sleeve badges throughout the season starting this August.
Racing Ferrol 26-27 Home Kit Released
Spanish club Racing Club de Ferrol and Adidas have officially unveiled the team's new home kit for the 26-27 season. Released under the motto #Orixe (Galician for Origin), the design returns to a pure and uncluttered aesthetic that celebrates the club's history and pays tribute to legendary club figure Cholo.
The Racing Ferrol 26-27 home shirt features a deep green base paired with a classic polo collar with a single button closure. White Adidas three-stripes sit across the shoulders, while the chest displays the brand logo alongside the traditional full-color club crest. Main sponsor Estrella Galicia 0,0 takes center stage on the front, while a special golden shell motif featuring the club's founding year 1919 adorns the lower hem.
White shorts with green side stripes and green socks complete the classic ensemble for the upcoming campaign. The overall design emphasizes a clean, no-frills look that highlights green as the defining identity of the Galician side.
SC Farense 26-27 Home Kit Released
Portuguese club SC Farense and kit supplier Lacatoni have officially revealed the club's new home jersey for the 26-27 season. The new uniform presents a fresh interpretation of Farense's traditional black and white palette, featuring a distinctive diagonal split layout.
The SC Farense 26-27 home shirt is defined by a bold diagonal divide across the upper chest. The top left chest and sleeve are rendered in solid black, while the majority of the front panel and right sleeve appear in clean white. Black accents finish the V-neck collar and sleeve cuffs, complemented by the club crest on the left chest and Lacatoni logo on the right.
On the back, the jersey is predominantly white and includes a subtle tonal graphic wave pattern embedded into the fabric. Main sponsor Barão Rodrigues is printed across the front, accompanied by additional sponsor logos on the upper chest, sleeves, and lower back.
Piratas FC 26-27 Home, Away & Third Kits Released
Mexican Liga de Expansión MX club Piratas FC and kit supplier Keuka have officially presented the club's new home, away, and third kits for the 26-27 season. The official reveal took place at Estadio Luis Pirata Fuente in Veracruz, coinciding with the launch of a new official Keuka retail store.
The 26-27 home jersey comes in black with gold trim on the V-neck collar and cuffs, featuring subtle sublimated graphics of a pirate ship amid stormy ocean waves. The away jersey opts for a white base decorated with sea chart contour lines, a compass rose near the hem, and a bold dark diagonal wave graphic across the chest.
Completing the set, the third jersey arrives in a peach tone with matching maritime map details and vintage vessel graphics. All three designs share consistent trim structure on the sleeve cuffs and collar alongside integrated sponsor logos.
In-House Union Brescia 26-27 Away & GK Kits Released
Italian Serie C side Union Brescia has officially launched its new 26-27 away and goalkeeper kits, made entirely in-house by the club. Following the release of their home uniform earlier in July, the club has continued its self-production strategy, delivering bespoke designs rooted in local heritage for the upcoming campaign.
The Union Brescia 26-27 away jersey is predominantly white, highlighted by a striking royal blue chevron pattern across the chest. Faded into the front panel is a large watermark of the iconic lion of Brescia, while blue trim accents the collar and sleeve bands. On the upper back, the shirt features an Italian tricolor flag detail set above the text Brescia Leonessa d'Italia.
Alongside the away shirt, Union Brescia unveiled three eye-catching goalkeeper options in pink, yellow, and orange. Each goalkeeper jersey incorporates the signature chest chevron and prominent lion graphic, completing the club's kit set for the 26-27 season.