FC Barcelona will lock horns with Paris Saint-Germain later tonight in an eagerly-awaited UEFA Champions League clash away at Parc des Princes.
And, as reported by Tot Costa (h/t SPORT), Barcelona will have to bring back last season’s orange kit for their Champions League visit to PSG after UEFA ruled that none of their three current kits could be used for the match.
As per the report, the decision has been driven by television broadcast requirements, with UEFA seeking to ensure a clear visual distinction between the two teams.
None of this season’s kits can be used
Barcelona will wear orange against PSG. The choice has also appeared in the club’s official promotional material for the match, featuring Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Anthony Gordon wearing last season’s shirt.
The decision comes despite Barça training on Monday in their blue training kit, which had suggested that they might use their third strip, designed in two shades of electric blue.
However, neither their traditional blaugrana shirt, their black-and-purple second kit dedicated to Kobe Bryant, nor their blue alternative has been approved for the fixture.
All three have been ruled out on television broadcast grounds, forcing the La Liga champions to look beyond their current collection.
Last season’s Nike Total 90 shirt returns
The orange shirt comes from Nike’s Total 90 collection, inspired by football fashion in the early 2000s.
Barcelona have already worn it during pre-season, including in a friendly against Basel, but will now bring it back for a competitive match of major importance.
Barcelona wore last season’s orange kit in a friendly vs Basel. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
The situation highlights an unusual problem for a club with three kits available for the current season: being unable to use any of them for a particular fixture.
The colour combinations of PSG’s kit and the requirements of the television broadcast have left Barcelona without an approved option from their current range.
As a result, Flick’s side must adjust their plans and revive last season’s orange strip for their meeting with PSG at the Parc des Princes, aiming to extend their winning start to the season to 12 games.