1. There is no rule stating that a marketed strip must be worn. Therefore don’t be surprised if some kits are never used.
2. 3rd kits may only be worn if the Premier League gets notice in writing at least 7 days prior to the match in question.
3. There is no definition of a kit clash. Its up to the kit managers and then match officials, hence the inconsistency.
4. Surprisingly, there is already a rule in place saying change kits can only be worn in away matches and when there is a clash. Only the match officials can give permission for a change.
5. A change kit may only be worn a maximum of EIGHT times during one season unless necessity suggests otherwise. This decision lies with match officials.
6. A home and away kit must be presented to the Premier League at least 4 weeks before the season starts, hence why unexpected kit clashes fail to revive previous seasons kits.
I’ve cut and pasted the relevant text taken from the Premier League 08-09 Handbook – available for free download from their website:
http://www.premierleague.com/page/Publications/0,,12306,2,00.html SECTION F
PLAYER IDENTIFICATION AND STRIP
Player Identification
1. Before the commencement of each Season each Club shall allocate a different shirt number to each member of its first team squad.
2. A Club shall likewise allocate a shirt number to any Player joining its first team squad during the Season.
3. Save with the prior written consent of the Board shirt numbers shall commence with the number one and shall be allocated consecutively.
4. While he remains with the Club a Player will retain his shirt number throughout the Season for which it was allocated.
5. Upon a Player leaving a Club the shirt number allocated to him may be re-allocated.
6. Each Club shall forthwith provide to the Secretary on Form 8 full details in writing of shirt numbers allocated so that throughout each Season the Secretary is aware of the names of members of the first team squad of each Club and the shirt numbers allocated to them.
7. When playing in League Matches each Player shall wear a shirt on the back of which shall be prominently displayed his shirt number and above that his surname or such other name as may be approved in writing by the Board.
8. The Player’s shirt number shall also appear on the front of the left leg of his shorts.
9. The size, style, colour and design of shirt numbers, lettering and the logo of the League appearing on a Player’s shirt or shorts and the material from which such numbers, lettering and logo are made shall be determined by the Board from time to time.
10. The colour and design of the shirt and stockings worn by the goalkeeper when playing in League Matches shall be such as to distinguish him from the other Players and from Match Officials.
11. The captain of each team appearing in a League Match shall wear an armband provided by the League indicating his status as such.
12. Any Club acting in breach of any of Rules F.1 to F.11 inclusive will be liable to pay to the League a fixed penalty of £300 for a first breach, £600 for a second breach and £1,200 for a third breach. Any subsequent breach may be dealt under the provisions of Section R.
Home and Away Strip
13. Each Club shall have a home Strip and an away Strip which shall be worn by its Players in League Matches in accordance with the provisions of these Rules.
14. The logo of the League shall appear on each sleeve of both home Strip and away Strip shirts.
15. Neither the home Strip shirt nor the away Strip shirt shall be of a colour or design alike or similar to the outfits of Match Officials.
16. Not later than 4 weeks before the commencement of each Season each Club shall register its Strips by submitting to the Secretary Form 9 together with samples of its home Strip, away Strip and goalkeeper’s Strip complying with these Rules and a brief written description of each and the Secretary having entered the descriptions in a register will cause the same to be printed in the handbook of the League.
17. Each Strip submitted for registration in accordance with Rule F.16 shall have on it:
17.1 the shirt number and name of any Player in the Club’s first team squad, displayed as required by Rule F.7;
17.2 any advertisement for which the approval of the Board is either sought or has already been given under the provisions of Rule F.28.1.
18. If pursuant to Rule F.16 a Club seeks to register a Strip which does not comply with these Rules:
18.1 the Board shall give to that Club notice in writing to that effect giving full details of the changes required to achieve compliance; and
18.2 the Strip in question shall not be worn by that Club’s Players until a further sample has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Board.
19. Subject to Rule F.20, Strips of the description thus registered shall be worn throughout the Season immediately following and no changes to it shall be made except with the prior written permission of the Board.
20. On the occasion of a Club’s last home League Match in any Season an alternative Strip may be worn provided that:
20.1 at least 7 days’ prior written notice of intention to do so is given to the Secretary and the Visiting Club together in each case with a sample of the Strip intended to be worn;
20.2 the alternative Strip shall be subsequently registered as the Club’s home or away Strip for the following Season.
21. Subject to Rules F.20 and F.22, when playing in League Matches the Players of each participating Club shall wear its home Strip unless the home Strips of the participating Clubs are alike or similar or are in the opinion of the referee likely to cause confusion in which event Players of theVisiting Club shall wear its away Strip or a combination of its home Strip and its away Strip. In the event of any dispute with regard to the Strip to be worn by either Club, the referee’s decision shall be final.
22. Players of theVisiting Club may wear its away Strip when playing in League Matches provided that they shall not do so on more than 8 occasions in any Season, including those occasions, if any, when required to do so by virtue of the foregoing provisions of Rule F.21. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Rule shall limit the number of occasions a Club may be required to change its Strip pursuant to Rule F.21.
23. At least 7 days prior to each League Match the Visiting Club shall notify the Home Club on Form 9A of the Strip it intends its Players (including for the avoidance of doubt its goalkeeper) to wear. If the Home Club is of the opinion that this is likely to cause confusion it shall immediately notify the League.
24. Subject to Rule F.20, no Club shall participate in a League Match wearing Strip other than its registered home Strip or away Strip or a combination of the two except with the prior written consent of the Board.
Third Strip
25. Each Club may have a third Strip in addition to its home Strip and its away Strip.
26. The provisions of Rules F.14, F.15 and F.16 shall apply to any third Strip as well as to home Strip and away Strip.
27. A Club’s third Strip may be worn by its Players in League Matches only with the prior written consent of the Board.
Strip Advertising
28. Provided that:
28.1 the content, design and area of the advertisement is approved by the Board; and
28.2 it complies with the Football Association Rules for the time being in force; advertising on Strip shall be permitted.
