Why Hibs wore shirts with alternative numbers and letters for semi-final - and when they might reappear

Eagle-eyed Hibs fans watching their side reach the Scottish Cup final with a 2-0 win against Dundee United in the last four may have noticed something different about the team’s kits at Hampden at the weekend.

Hibs wore alternative lettering and numbers on the back of their shirts at Hampden

Gone were the usual SPFL numbers and lettering from the rear of the jerseys, to be replaced with a larger, more distinctive font including large green numbers on the shorts in place of the usual smaller black digits.

Supporters speculated on social media that it might be next season’s European font getting a run-out.

However, the alternative numbering and lettering was Hibs’ own font, with the club opting to shake things up for the Scottish Cup encounter given the tournament doesn’t fall under the auspices of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL).

The players are likely to wear the shirts again for the final against St Johnstone on May 22 – but could also use the alternative printing for next season’s European games.

UEFA has strict guidelines concerning playing attire, including numbers and shirt names and sponsors.

Numbers must be clearly legible and free of any team, manufacturer, or other identification or advertising but may contain a “team emblem (or part thereof) of no more than 5cm² in the bottom of each digit”.

Hibs did this with their numbers on Saturday, with a small club crest in green contained on the bottom of squad numbers.

Numbers must also “measure 25-35cm high and must be clearly legible to match officials, commentators, spectators, and TV viewers in daylight and under floodlights, from at least 50m away”.

Team shorts must also carry numbers between 10-15cm high in a colour contrasting with the shorts.

Names on the backs of shirts must also be free of manufacturer identification, sponsor advertising and decorative elements and each letter must measure no more than 7.5cm high.

UEFA stipulates that “names must be written in a single colour, using the Latin alphabet (upper and/or lower case)”.

Clubs are permitted to carry additional team identification “in the shirt collar zone” which would allow Hibs to carry the “Glory, Glory” logo that has featured on team shirts in recent seasons.

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