Champions League rule meant Newcastle were forced to change their kit for game vs AC Milan

A little-known rule in the UEFA regulations handbook forced Newcastle to make a noticeable change to their kit for Tuesday's Champions League clash against AC Milan.

After a painstaking 20-year wait, Eddie Howe's side sported the famous black and white stripes as they claimed a point in their much-anticipated Group F opener.

But plenty of fans on social media spotted that Newcastle's shirt was different to the one they'd normally wear in Premier League competition.

As you can see in the pictures below, the Magpies had to adhere to UEFA's rules by removing the stripes that usually go through their squad numbers.

In the section 'Article 8 Colours and patterns', UEFA state that the area on the back a playing shirt is reserved "exclusively for the shirt number" on matchday.

The number zone must extend 2cm above the highest point and 3cm below the lowest point of the two digits, according to the handbook.

It must also be horizontally 3cm from the left edge of the left-hand digit and 3cm from the right edge of the right-hand digit.

In addition, the zone should be "free of any team, manufacturer or other identification or advertising", while the sleeve free zone says:

1. In UEFA representative team competitions, this area on each sleeve is reserved exclusively for the badges described in Chapter IX. The sleeve free zones must be free of any team, manufacturer or other identification or advertising.
2. In UEFA club competitions, this area on the right sleeve is reserved exclusively for the badges described in Chapter IX, and this area on the left sleeve is reserved for sponsor advertising or a charity logo. The sleeve free zones must be free of any team, manufacturer or other identification or advertising except those expressly permitted.

Here's how social media reacted to Newcastle's kit change.

One fan said: "Is this Newcastle kit different than their normal one or am I tripping?" while another commented: "Newcastle's kit is so much cleaner without the stripes running through the back. Red print is class."

A third wrote: "Newcastle's kit looks weird with no full stripes on the back."

A fourth added: "Anyone know why Newcastle’s shirts are white on the back instead of the stripes continuing like they do for EPL?"

🔎 CL Kitwatch

Newcastle’s shirt was changed with a plain white block for their return to the Champions League earlier this evening. Nice cup font too! pic.twitter.com/8UdQV8YKiF

— The Shirt Union (@TheShirtUnion) September 19, 2023

Newcastle will host Paris Saint-Germain in their second Champions League fixture of the season on October 2 before welcoming Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund to St James' Park on October 25.