The game between Liverpool and Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday generated “hundreds” of complaints from fans affected by color blindness, with United’s green belt being indistinguishable from Liverpool’s traditional red T-shirts.
Despite wearing a black and white swap kit in most games this season, when their red shirts clash with the home team, United wore a suit described by kit supplier Adidas as “green legend of the land” for the tie 0-0 at Anfield.
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And with many viewers unable to distinguish the two teams, the UK-based Color Blind Awareness organization saw its Twitter account, @colourblindorg, flooded with fans struggling to watch the game.
“It happens all the time; we had a bad year this year, ”Kathryn Albany-Ward, CEO of Color Blind Awareness, told ESPN. “We had Southampton vs Sheffield United and recently Liverpool vs Man United. We had a lot.
“But Sunday was the biggest equipment clash complaint we’ve ever had. We had hundreds and spent the whole morning trying to compare them all.
“It is a very common problem, and it is a big problem due to the number of people affected. It affects 1 in 12 people.”
Sources told ESPN that the Premier League uses computer software to ensure that all games are played with clubs using different colors. The software was recently updated to include a “color blind friendly flag” to determine the best kit combinations for color blind individuals.
In 2015, the NFL issued a statement promising to improve the awareness of color blind fans after hundreds of complaints after a “Color Rush” game between the all-red Buffalo Bills and the all-green New York Jets. Albany-Ward is calling for a similar change in English football.
“The NFL game was played and it was a red kit against a green kit and the whole of America that is colorblind stood up,” said Albany-Ward. “There are about 14 million color blind people.
“The NFL had to change its equipment regulations to make sure it didn’t happen again.
“I think they need to rise to a large extent in the UK. People are aware of this, but they do not retain the information long enough to do something about it.
“If a big broadcaster took over and presented what it is like to be color blind and watch a game for the right people. I think it would be great.
“The Premier League acts and warns the clubs, as they know when the confrontations are going to happen. I know why I was in contact with them today.
“They spoke to United about this issue and United suggested a solution, but what they decided was not enough.”
Sources told ESPN that United was informed of a Premier League kit problem 10 days before the match with Liverpool, but asked only to change the green to white socks.
To make matters worse for United, who once changed an all-gray uniform at the break of a game at Southampton due to coach Sir Alex Ferguson complaining about his players not being able to see each other, midfielder Bruno Fernandes is currently an ambassador for color blindness awareness in portugal
“As part of our EU project, the Portuguese FA has two ambassadors; one is Bruno Fernandes, but I think he is not aware of this equipment clash,” said Albany-Ward. “The other is Jessica Silva, who plays for Olympique Lyonnais.
“They are aware of the problems this can cause and want to raise the profile of this, which they did in September, on the day of awareness about color blindness.”