Linfield have denied that their newly unveiled away kit for the 2020/21 has been influenced or is in tribute to any third party.
The new kit, which is a striking purple colour and features a diagonal orange stripe crossing down from the left shoulder, caused a stir on social media when it was unveiled, with people comparing it to a flag of the loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).
While the colours of the flag and the new kit are similar, the club insists that this is purely coincidental and in a statement, hit out at 'a small number from outside the club' for suggesting otherwise.
The statement read: "Earlier this week Linfield FC revealed images of the club's new Away kit for the 2020/21 season.
"The design has met with approval from large numbers of supporters but unfortunately and sadly, there have been certain suggestions from a small number from outside the club which this club can not ignore.
"For the avoidance of all doubt, the design is of a football kit for a football club and any similarity/likeness/resemblance with any other design used by any other entity is totally coincidental and entirely unintentional.
"Any allegation or inference to the contrary is robustly and vigorously rejected by this club which prides itself on being inclusive, open to all and representative of all.
"Linfield FC is totally opposed to all forms of bigotry, prejudice, violence and discrimination."
SDLP assembly member and sports spokesman Justin McNulty told the Irish News: "Soccer is a sport for all.
"I hope this is a genuine oversight by the club and that they will take appropriate action to avoid causing any offence or hurt."
