Leeds United has already delivered the first blow in the early competition to outmanoeuvre their opponents ahead of the Championship play-off final by placing third in the Championship rankings. Leeds was allowed to choose their own uniform for this Sunday’s big game since they were the better-placed team amongst the two Wembley finalists.

Daniel Farke’s team has chosen to play in their customary all-white home uniform, and it seems that their opponents have taken offence at that decision. A decision by the EFL has dashed Southampton’s hopes of playing in their home uniform, which is a hybrid of half red and white.

White socks would clash with Leeds’ all-white uniform, therefore Saints would need to switch to either black or red socks, as they have in the past. The home uniform of the Saints also includes black shorts and white socks.But Southampton FC News reports that this isn’t a possibility.take note of

The reason behind this is a peculiar regulation from the EFL, which states that clubs are required to inform the league before the season begins about any jerseys or combinations of kits they intend to wear for the entire campaign, including the play-offs and, if they advance, the play-off final.

“During the Close Season, each Club shall notify The League in writing details of its ‘home’ and ‘away’ kit (shirt, shorts, and socks), and if applicable, any ‘third’ set of kit,” according to EFL Regulation 39.1. Every set of equipment recorded must be clearly different from and in contrast to every other set of equipment registered by the Club for that Season. Throughout the season, no modifications to the kit or to the combination of kit colours are allowed.”

With Southampton’s away kit being white, that option is obviously ruled out, meaning the Saints have no choice as things stand but to wear their lesser-spotted third kit of all black, which they wore recently in the 2-1 victory at Eland Road to close the regular season