No Red & White Checks for Croatia in EURO 2016 Group Matches

New kits unveiled (photo Nike)

Croatia will have to make it through to the next round if we are to see the famous red and white checkers make an appearance at EURO 2016…

Croatia will wear their alternative all blue kit in all three group matches in France due to strict UEFA rules. The red and white checkers, which have become famous all over the world, was judged the best looking kit before the tournament started in many polls, but according to Croatian football federation spokesman Tomislav Pacak, Croatia have been forced to wear blue at least for the first 3 matches.

“All three matches in the group we will play in the blue kit. There is no home and away kits, only first and second kits, and our first kit is the red and white checkers. But because a lot of other teams have red and white on their kits it clashes. In the case of EURO the decision about the kits was made a few months back. They insisted on clear contrasts, because of the refs and the fans and also those watching on TV to recognise numbers and so forth,” Pacak told Tportal, adding.

Croatia will wear blue in all group games (Icon Sport)

“In the group matches where there were red or white clashes Croatia must play in blue. Turkey, Czech Republic and Spain have red and white on their kits and it seems we can’t play in our first kit against them,” he said.

No checks in group matches (photo: HNS)

FIFA and UEFA have decided that Croatia will not be able to play in the famous checkers where there are clashes, and with over 15 European nations featuring red or white on their kit it looks like Croatia will need to draw an Italy or Ireland or Sweden to be able to play in their first choice kit.

Davor Šuker in blue at 1998 World Cup in France

Croatia take on Czech Republic on Friday in blue. The blue kit first came to fame in 1998 when Croatia wore the colour in victories against Romania, Germany and Holland. They were undefeated in blue then – can they repeat that.