NEWCASTLE were forced to change their kit for their Champions League opener against AC Milan due to a little-known Uefa rule.
Eddie Howe led his side out in Europe’s elite competition for the first time in 20 years at the San Siro on Tuesday night as they earned a hard-fought goalless draw.
But the black and white stripes that usually stretch down the back of the shirt – through the players numbers – were removed to adhere with the competition’s guidelines.
Uefa’s rules state “the area on the back of a playing shirt [is] reserved exclusively for the shirt number” and that the number zone “must extend 2cm above the highest point and 3cm below the lowest point of the two digits, and horizontally 3cm from the left edge of the left-hand digit and 3cm from the right edge of the right-hand digit”.
The zone also has to be “free of any team, manufacturer or other identification or advertising”.
And those on social media could instantly see something about Newcastle’s kit had been changed.
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One said: “That Newcastle kit looks strange.”
While another added: “Something about Newcastle’s kit looks weird.”
But others were loving the look, with a viewer reacting: “That Champions League edition Newcastle kit is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.”
Newcastle have been drawn in an incredibly tough Group F.
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Alongside seven-time winners AC Milan, Howe’s men will also face 1997 champions Borussia Dortmund and French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
But they will have taken positives from the draw with Milan despite being second best for much of the game.
Newcastle’s first home Champions League game at St James’ Park comes at home to PSG on October 4, before they host Borussia Dortmund three weeks later.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
