The Premier League and Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday provoked “hundreds” of complaints from supporters affected by color blindness, and United’s green band of change proved indistinguishable from Liverpool’s traditional red shirts.
Despite using a black and white change kit for most games this season, when their red shirts collide with the home team, United wore an outfit described by kit maker Adidas as the “green earth legend” for the 0-0 draw. at Anfield.
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And with many viewers unable to distinguish the two teams, Color Blind Awareness in the UK saw its Twitter account, @colourblindorg, born of fans struggling to watch the game.
“It’s happening all the time; we’ve had a bad year this year,” Kathryn Albany-Ward, CEO of Color Blind Awareness, told ESPN. “I had Southampton vs. Sheffield United and recently Liverpool vs. Man United. I had a lot.
“But Sunday was the biggest confrontation complaint we’ve ever had. We had hundreds and we spent the whole morning trying to gather them all.
“It’s a really common problem and it’s a big problem because of 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 programs are played with clubs that wear different identification colors. The software was recently updated to include a “color blind friendly flag” to determine the best kit combinations for people who are color blind.
In 2015, the NFL issued a statement pledging to raise awareness of colorblind fans after hundreds of complaints following a “Color Rush” game between the red Buffalo Bills and the all-green New York Jets. Albany-Ward calls for a similar move in English football.
“The NFL game was played and it was a red kit against a green kit and all of America that has color blindness has risen,” Albany-Ward said. “That is, about 14 million colorblind people.
“The NFL had to change its kit regulations to make sure it didn’t happen again.
“It simply came to our notice then. People are aware of this, but they don’t keep the information long enough to do something about it.
“If a major broadcaster should accept this and present what it means to be colorblind and watch a game for the right people. I think that would be great.
“The Premier League acts and announces the clubs, as I know when these clashes will happen. I know because I was in touch with them today.
“They told United about this problem and United suggested a solution, but what they decided was not enough.”
Sources told ESPN that United was informed of a Premier League kit issue 10 days before the Liverpool game, but only requested a change of socks from green to white.
To make up for United, who once changed a completely gray kit at the break in a Southampton game due to manager Sir Alex Ferguson complaining that his players cannot be seen, midfielder Bruno Fernandes is currently 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 don’t think he is aware of this confrontation,” Albany-Ward said. “The other is Jessica Silva, who plays for Olympique Lyonnais.
“They are aware of the problems it can cause and they want to raise their profile, which they did in September on Color Blind Awareness Day.”