Newcastle United fans may not be happy that their club is not wearing the classic black and white kit for the Tyne-Wear derby this weekend, but there’s a good reason why.
We’ve waited more than nine years to see Newcastle and Sunderland go head-to-head, and hopefully the game will be worth the wait.
It doesn’t look like we’re wearing black and white on Sunday – how do you feel about that?⚫⚪
At least it's not the green kit, think of it like that!
The Tyne-Wear derby has been described as ‘epic’ by Sam Allardyce, a sentiment most in the North East would agree with.
Now, it’s up to the players to deliver on the day. But for Newcastle, they’ll have to do so in a kit they’ve not had much luck in so far this season.
- READ MORE: Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon disagrees with Sunderland manager over Tyne-Wear derby
Newcastle United kit decision explained
Fans were dismayed when a social post from the club hinted at the fact Newcastle would be wearing their blue and orange third kit for the Sunderland game.
The problem is, Newcastle’s black and white striped home shirt clashes with Sunderland’s stripes, even if they are different colours.
It’s all down to Premier League rule M22, which states: “When playing in league matches the players of each participating club shall wear a strip which differs visibly from and contrasts with one another to ensure that match officials, players, spectators and television viewers (including those with colour vision deficiency) will be able to distinguish clearly between the two teams.”
The same will apply to Sunderland when they visit St. James’ Park in 2026, with the Black Cats having to wear their away kit or third kit.
Interestingly, when the two teams last met, in the FA Cup, Newcastle were allowed to wear their black and white kit. The rules are different in the league, though.
- READ MORE: Bruno Guimaraes already knows what Sunderland fans have in store for him ahead of Newcastle ‘final’
Anthony Gordon is Newcastle United’s best hope of beating Sunderland on Sunday. Prove me wrong.
The main character energy will hit different on Wearside 😍
Newcastle United’s third kit is cursed
While it’s the Newcastle starting XI that’ll be the focus for fans today, there will be some doubts creeping into the minds when it comes to the kit.
Indeed, there are some who would say the blue and orange kit is cursed, and it’s hard to disagree at this stage. Newcastle have failed to win a game wearing the third strip, and only Harvey Barnes has even managed to score a competitive goal in the blue kit.
The defeat to Marseille was the last time Newcastle wore blue and orange, while the kit was also worn during the defeat to Brentford and in a 0-0 draw with Leeds United. It was also used twice in pre-season, for a 4-0 loss to Celtic and a 2-2 draw with Espanyol.
Still, many said the green away kit was cursed. That is, until Newcastle hammered Everton 4-1 wearing it. Now, if the Magpies can do the same against Sunderland, that would be some way to end the so-called curse.
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