KEIR RADNEDGE in MOSCOW: Woolly regulations concerning team colours have left World Cup fans baffled by the loss of character around the appearance of some of the game’s traditional powers.

Debate over the regulations – or lack of them – erupted on social media after Brazil and Costa Rica both used change strips for the Group E tie in St Petersburg which ended in a 2-0 win for the record five-times former champions.

Brazil have played, famously, in yellow shirts and blue shorts ever since early in the 1950s when the governing body – then the CBD – decided to ditch the all-white in which they had lost the 1950 final to Uruguay in front of their own fans in Maracana.

However the 2018 FIFA regulations appear framed deliberately to serve the promotional commercial needs of sportswear manufacturers.

National associations must register their colours and change strips with the world federation ahead of the finals so as to allow for planning to avoid colour clashes.

However if they choose, they are expected to use their No1 kit only once in the first round.

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