Lion of Venezia 25-26 4th Kit Banned by Italian Football Federation
- Kit Design Controversy: Venezia's 2025-26 fourth kit, featuring a large winged-lion graphic, was modified for competitive matches due to concerns from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
- Violation of Decorative Element Rules: The FIGC likely rejected the original design because the lion graphic was considered a 'face' or an oversized club symbol, violating regulations on decorative elements in uniforms.
- Final Approved Design: The match-approved version of the shirt removed the winged lion graphic completely while retaining other graphic elements, such as the stars design.
Venezia’s spectacular 2025–26 4th shirt made waves the moment it was unveiled - but the version worn in competitive matches looked noticeably different. The large winged-lion graphic was completely removed for the match, resulting in a solid red base where the lion had been.
Footy Headlines can outline the two most likely reasons behind FIGC's rejection of the original design.
1. The Lion Graphic Was Treated as a “Face” Under Decorative-Element Rules
Italy's Regolamento Divise da Gioco (Uniform Regulations) features strict limitations on decorative elements. One of the clearest restrictions: graphics must not contain or give the impression of representing a face or identity of a person.
While the rule explicitly mentions “una persona”, the FIGC possibly interprets the “face-like” imagery more broadly. The lion artwork used by Venezia - highly detailed, large, and forward-facing - can be read as a portrait-style facial depiction, even though it is an animal.
Because the new decorative-element rules require graphics to be tone-on-tone, subtle, and non-recognizable, the high-contrast lion likely crossed that line.
2. The Winged Lion Was Classified as a Club Symbol - and Therefore Too Large
The winged lion (Leone di San Marco) is Venezia’s historic emblem and appears prominently in club iconography. Under FIGC regulations, club symbols may only be used once on the front of the shirt and must fit within a maximum area of 100 cm² - the size allowed for a crest.
The launch shirt’s massive winged-lion graphic extended across both shoulders and the entire upper chest. If the league classified this artwork as a club symbol, rather than a neutral decorative element, it would exceed the allowed size many times over.
Final Match-Approved Version
The adjusted match shirt keeps the design but eliminates the winged lion completely. All other graphic elements were allowed, including the star design.
Would you have preferred the original lion version to be worn in official matches? Let us know in the comments below.
