The Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United on Sunday provoked “hundreds” of complaints from fans affected by color blindness, with United’s green exchange strip being impossible to distinguish from Liverpool’s traditional red shirts.
Despite wearing a black and white change kit for most games this season when their red shirts collide with the home team, United wore a suit described by kit supplier Adidas as “ground green legend “for the 0-0 draw at Anfield.
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And with many TV viewers unable to differentiate the two teams, the UK-based Color Blind Awareness organization saw its Twitter account, @colourblindorg, flooded with fans struggling to watch the match.
“It happens all the time; this year we’ve had a bad year,” Kathryn Albany-Ward, CEO of Color Blind Awareness, told ESPN. “We had Southampton against Sheffield United and recently Liverpool against Man United. We had a lot.
“But Sunday was the complaint that caused us the most. We had hundreds and we spent the whole morning trying to bring them all together.
“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 have told ESPN that the Premier League uses computer software to make sure all accessories are played with clubs with different colors. The software has recently been updated to include a “color-compatible flag” to determine the best combinations of kits for people with color blindness.
In 2015, the NFL issued a statement pledging to raise awareness among colorblind fans after hundreds of complaints following a “Color Rush” game between the red Buffalo Bills and the green New York Jets. Albany-Ward calls for a similar play in English football.
“The NFL game was played and it was a red kit versus a green kit and they got up all over America with color blindness,” 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.
“I think they need to increase greatly in the UK. People are aware of that, but they don’t keep the information long enough to do something about it.
“If a major station took it on and presented what it’s like to be colorblind and watch a match at the right people. I think it would be great.
“The Premier League acts and notifies the clubs, because they know when these clashes will take place. I know because I have been in contact with them today.
“They communicated this problem to United and United suggested a solution, but what they decided was not enough.”
Sources have told ESPN that United were aware of the Premier League team’s issue 10 days before the Liverpool game, but only asked that the socks be changed from green to white.
To complicate matters, United, who switched a completely gray team to half-time in a game at Southampton because coach Sir Alex Ferguson complained that his players could not be seen, midfielder Bruno Fernandes is currently an ambassador of color blind consciousness 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 clash,” Albany-Ward said. “The other is Jessica Silva, who plays for Olympique Lyonnais.
“They are aware of the problems it can cause and want to increase their vision, which they did in September on color blindness awareness day.”