Manchester City: Why can't they wear their fourth kit in the Premier League?

Manchester City sported a new green fourth kit during their Champions League victory against Villarreal on Tuesday - but they will not be able to wear it in the Premier League.

Top-flight clubs in England can only wear a maximum of three strips in a league campaign, meaning Pep Guardiola's side cannot play in their new gaming-inspired kit.

However, there is no limit in the Champions League, meaning City can sport their new strip for the rest of their European campaign.

City can also wear the kit in the FA Cup, provided that an application is made to the Football Association, as well as a reason for its requested use.

That is why Arsenal were allowed to play in a white fourth strip in the FA Cup as part of their campaign to combat youth knife crime in London.

City also released a fourth kit last season co-designed by Noel Gallagher in tribute to the 30th anniversary of Oasis' 1994 album 'Definitely Maybe'.

It was worn in the Champions League by the men's team against Inter Milan and Paris St-Germain, and the women's team against Paris FC and Barcelona.

A fifth kit was also used by the men's team during the 2025 Club World Cup

During the 2023-24 season, the women's side also sported a Chinese New Year-inspired shirt in a League Cup victory against rivals Manchester United.

While the Premier League is more restrictive over the number of kits that can be released - the rules are more relaxed in other European leagues.

Napoli wore 13 strips during the 2021-22 season; including a halloween kit, four different Diego Maradona tributes and four Europa League-specific kits.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

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