Are Premier League Teams Allowed To Wear Away Kits At Home?
When watching the Inter vs Napoli match this week, we could not connive that Inter was not wearing their home kit but their third kit at home. We asked us if this would have happened when Inter Milan would be playing in the English Premier League...
Premier League Has No Rule Against Away Kit At Home
Premier League rules do not totally rule out that a home team is wearing an away kit, but the league tries everything to prevent it in its rules (2020-21 Premier League Handbook).
As defined in Section M.22., "the 1st priority are the outfield players of the Home Club who shall wear their home Strip". The 2nd priority are the outfield players of the Visiting Club, followed by the keeper kits.
Another clever think of Premier League to prevent teams to not wear an alternative kit is home can be found in M.24. This paragraph says that only the away team has to say the league which kit it wants to use - the home team is not involved.
M.24.: At least 10 days prior to each League Match the Visiting Club shall notify the Home Club and the League (by such means as advised by the Board from time to time) of the Strip it intends its Players (including for the avoidance of doubt its goalkeeper) to wear.
Premier League does allow teams to wear next season's kits in the last home and away match of a current season
The last thing how Premier League makes sure that they keep control about kits is that "The League will notify both Clubs and the Match Officials of the kits to be worn at least three days ahead of the match" [M.25.].
M.25. The League, in consultation with PGMOL acting on behalf of the referee, will determine any disputes arising between Clubs and no later than three working days prior to each League Match notify both Clubs and the Match Officials of the colours to be worn.>
In the other four big European leagues (Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1), it happens regularly that teams are wearing their away / third kits at home. In fact, this season even Real Madrid sported their pink away shirt at home.
In 2003, Spurs wore next season's away kit at home against Blackburn
In fact, we can not remember that a Premier League team wore their alternative kit at home in the last decade. However, in 2003, Spurs wore next season's away kit at home against Blackburn, and in 1993, Newcastle was forced to wear their blue away kit at home to avoid a kit clash.
May 2003: Spurs vs Blackburn - Last Match Of Season
September 1993: Newcastle United vs Sheffield Wednesday
In case you were wondering. Premier League does allow teams to wear next season's kits in the last home and away match of a current season, as defined in M.21. In the 2019-2020 season, this rule was adjusted to COVID-19 and the late end of the season.
So, the Premier League rules do not rule out that a team wears an alternative strip at home, but that is something we think won't happen again soon as it is practically set that the home team wears their home kit.
What do you think of teams wearing their alternative kits at home? Have we forgotten any Premier League matches in which the home team wore the away kit? Let us know in the comments below.
