England forced to wear red third kit against Scotland
The Scotland shirt has white sleeves so England can't wear their home kit or new away strip, which is blue
England will be forced to wear their discontinued red third kit when they face Scotland on Saturday after Fifa ruled that there was a colour clash between the two nations' home shirts.
The problem arose because the current Scotland top has white sleeves. Under current rules this means it clashes with England's usual outfit, which is white with pale blue sleeves.
Last year it was Scotland who were ordered to wear their away kit at Wembley, prompting fury in some quarters, but the situation is even more embarrassing for England.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"England's new second kit is all-blue, which clearly they cannot wear, so they have been forced to revert back to an older red strip worn twice since the European Championships in 2016," says Sky Sports.
According to the Daily Mail, England "confirmed in March that they were ditching their £60 red kit for the 2018 World Cup in Russia".
England's need to return to the red kit they discarded in March "may come of something of an embarrassment to Nike and the Football Association", adds the paper.
"The new dark blue away kit, which costs £101 for a full adult strip, was launched to much fanfare before England's 1-0 defeat by Germany in Dortmund but was quickly accused of making Gareth Southgate's side look 'like Scotland in disguise' in some quarters."
A row over security is also brewing ahead of the game at Hampden Park. The Daily Mirror reports that the Scottish FA "rejected a police request to move the time of this weekend's game".
"Police Scotland was unhappy with the 5pm kick-off time on Saturday, initially over fears regarding their resources and problems caused by extra drinking time for fans. The issue has been further exacerbated by the terror attacks in Manchester and London which mean enhanced security measures will be in place in and around Hampden."
However, the SFA has "stood firm" over the kick-off time, pointing out that it was set down by Uefa in 2015 and that tickets were sold on that basis.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Elevating Earth Day into a national holiday is not radical — it's practical'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
UAW scores historic win in South at VW plant
Speed Read Volkswagen workers in Tennessee have voted to join the United Auto Workers union
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 22, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - dystopian laughs, WNBA salaries, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The England kit: a furore over the flag
Why everyone's talking about Nike's redesign of the St George's Cross on the collar of the English national team's shirt has caused controversy
By The Week UK Published
-
Lionesses will have regrets but their legacy can be ‘incredible’
feature England stars return home after heartbreaking Women’s World Cup final loss to Spain
By Mike Starling Published
-
How English women’s football could become a billion pound industry
feature Building on the success of the Lionesses won’t be easy but it is eminently possible
By The Week Staff Published
-
Lionesses dig deep after Lauren James’s ‘Beckham-esque’ red card
feature England reach the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals after a 4-2 win on penalties against Nigeria
By Mike Starling Published
-
Curse of the Lionesses: what’s causing spate of England women’s football injuries?
Under the Radar Several key players are out of the World Cup, raising concerns about hectic schedules, sub-par pitches and sexism
By Harriet Marsden Published
-
‘Captain fantastic’: Harry Kane’s most memorable England goals
feature Kane has overtaken Wayne Rooney as the Three Lions’s all-time leading goalscorer
By Mike Starling Published
-
A World Cup of missed opportunities for England, Southgate and Kane
feature Three Lions boss Southgate will take time to consider his future after defeat to France
By Mike Starling Published
-
World Cup quarter-final: England vs. France prediction, preview and team news
feature Three Lions are ready for the ‘fantastic challenge’ of facing the reigning champions
By Mike Starling Published