Not political, religious or personal ones. Under the IFAB Laws of the Game, equipment must not carry political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images, and players must not reveal undergarments showing them or advertising other than the manufacturer's logo.
What can appear on kit
Here is how each item is treated.
| Item | Under Law 4 |
|---|---|
| The player's number and name, and the team crest or logo | Usually permitted |
| Initiative slogans or emblems promoting football, respect and integrity | Usually permitted |
| Advertising permitted by competition rules or national FA, confederation or FIFA regulations | Usually permitted |
| The facts of the match: teams, date, competition or event, venue | Usually permitted |
| Political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images | Not permitted |
| Undergarments showing political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer's logo | Must not be revealed |
“Usually permitted” still carries limits. Permitted slogans, statements or images should be confined to the shirt front and/or armband, and in some cases they might appear only on the captain's armband.
Law 4 covers all equipment worn by players, substitutes and substituted players, including clothing. Its principles also apply to all team officials in the technical area.
What is not allowed
Political, religious and personal slogans, statements and images are barred from equipment. Undergarments face a separate restriction as well: a player must not reveal an undergarment that shows any political, religious or personal slogan, statement or image, or advertising other than the manufacturer's logo.
A slogan, statement or image is also banned if it falls into the Law 12 categories of offensive, insulting or abusive language or action, or conduct that is provocative, derisory or inflammatory.
“Political” is less clearly defined than “religious” or “personal”, but slogans, statements or images related to any of the following are not permitted:
- Any person, living or dead, unless part of the official competition name
- Any local, regional, national or international political party, organisation or group, etc.
- Any local, regional or national government, or any of its departments, offices or functions
- Any organisation that is discriminatory
- Any organisation whose aims or actions are likely to offend a notable number of people
- Any specific political act or event
Who can sanction a breach
When one of these offences happens, the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, the national football association or FIFA.
In Premier League matches, under Rule M.28, a player must not reveal undergarments showing political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than a manufacturer's logo, and the Board may proceed under the disciplinary rules against the player, the player's club or both.
Commemorations and extra competition limits
Even material that does not fall into the banned categories is not free from control. Competition rules may contain further restrictions, particularly on the size, number and position of permitted slogans, statements and images.
When a significant national or international event is being commemorated, the sensibilities of the opposing team, including its supporters, and of the general public should be carefully considered. It is recommended that disputes relating to slogans, statements or images be resolved before the match or competition takes place.
FAQ
Can a player reveal a message on an undershirt?
Not if the undergarment shows a political, religious or personal slogan, statement or image. The same applies if it shows advertising other than the manufacturer's logo.
Are political slogans allowed on football kits?
No. Political slogans, statements and images are not permitted on equipment. The political category covers all six categories listed above, from any person, living or dead, unless part of the official competition name, to any specific political act or event.
Who punishes a player for showing a message on an undershirt?
The player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, the national football association or FIFA. In Premier League matches, the Board may also proceed under the disciplinary rules against the player, the player's club or both.
Can a tribute message be shown on an undershirt?
Not if it relates to a person: slogans, statements or images related to any person, living or dead (unless part of the official competition name), are not permitted. A player must not reveal an undergarment showing any political, religious or personal slogan, statement or image, and permitted slogans, statements or images should be confined to the shirt front and/or armband.