Confusing Uniform Colors Allowed in Be'er Sheva vs. Vikingur Champions League Match
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Vikingur played a Champions League qualifier with confusingly similar kits, but UEFA rules allowed it after referee approval.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Vikingur wore similar-colored kits in a Champions League qualifier.
- UEFA rules require clear kit distinction but do not explicitly forbid overlapping shorts colors.
- The home team chooses kits first; the referee can demand changes if confusion arises.
- Referee Anthony Bendic approved the kits despite the color similarities.
- This case exposed a loophole in UEFA's kit regulations regarding shorts colors.
- The match proceeded with confusing uniforms due to the lack of explicit prohibitions.
On July 29, 2026, Hapoel Be'er Sheva faced Icelandic club Vikingur in the second qualifying round second leg of the UEFA Champions League. Be'er Sheva wore their home kit consisting of red shirts and white shorts, while Vikingur appeared in white shirts and burgundy shorts. The similarity in colors caused confusion among viewers, as both teams' kits overlapped in color tones.
According to UEFA regulations, there must be a clear distinction between the teams' kits to avoid confusion. The home team selects their kit first, followed by the away team, with the referee having the final say. If the referee deems the kits too similar, the home team must change for practical reasons. However, the rules do not explicitly forbid one team wearing shorts similar in color to the other team's shirts, or vice versa.
In this case, the referee, Bosnian Anthony Bendic, approved the kits despite the confusion. This decision highlights a loophole in the regulations allowing such overlapping colors, as the rules focus mainly on shirt colors and overall kit differentiation but do not address shorts color conflicts specifically. The match proceeded with the confusing uniforms, raising questions about UEFA's kit regulations enforcement.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Only Mako so far.
