17 EFL clubs will wear their away kits at home on Boxing Day following the controversy that the Premier League have banned this.
These member teams are open to doing this so that they can support a homeless charity campaign, with more likely to follow, in a move which will embarrass the top flight chiefs.
As Sportsmail revealed on Tuesday, Shelter have asked those hosting matches on December 26th and 27th to don their change strips as part of the No Home Kit initiative to raise awareness and funds for what is a rapidly increasing problem.
š¢ You may have seen lots of discussion in the news, and on social media, about our new #NoHomeKit campaign yesterday.
We want to use the positive power of football this Christmas to raise awareness of homelessness.
Read our statement š pic.twitter.com/TCZTczlV3f
ā Shelter (@Shelter) November 10, 2021
A number of the 10 top-flight clubs involved approached the Premier League but were told permission would not be forthcoming due to existing rules.
That left them stunned and appalled and it is understood that Tottenham are querying whether competition bosses are within their rights to block the move.
Now, in a development which will further ramp up pressure ahead of Thursday’s shareholder meeting, Sportsmail have revealed that a growing number of EFL sides will back the campaign and bosses will not stand in their way.
It is understood that both Portsmouth and Cardiff City have already been given permission, with 15 to follow from an ever-increasing number.
Meanwhile, some have queried the Premier League’s stance. Rules state that ‘the first priority for home clubs will be their home strip’ but also that ‘before the commencement of each season each club shall allocate a different shirt number to each member of its first-team squad’.
This season, Edinson Cavani took the No7 shirt at Manchester United but the Premier League gave dispensation for Cristiano Ronaldo to have the number after signing from Juventus.
One top-flight official, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘It appears it’s one rule for Ronaldo and another for a homeless charity.’
It remains to be seen whether a number of the Premier League sides can force a U-turn, but following the reaction from pundits, players, fans and clubs, it really could happen.
Gary Neville has taken aim at the Premier League after clubs in the top-flight were stopped from wearing their away kits on Boxing Day.
He wrote on Twitter: āImagine refusing a request to raise money and awareness for homelessness. A Johnson like u-turn on its way if the clubs push hard!ā
Great to see support from @FGRFC_Official‘s owner @DaleVince for our #NoHomeKit campaign this Boxing Day.
Itās amazing to see so many people within the football community wanting to get the ball rolling. š https://t.co/6LKqge5brN
ā Shelter (@Shelter) November 11, 2021
Sky Sports News understands the EFL has no problem with its clubs getting involved in the campaign.
Sky Sports News has asked the nine Premier League clubs playing at home on Boxing Day if they would be willing to support the campaign if the league allowed it.
Osama Bhutta, director of campaigns at Shelter, said: “We believe ‘home’ means everything. We want to use the positive power of football this Christmas, and our shared connection to ‘home’, to raise awareness of homelessness and what we can all do to fight it.
“Since the start of the pandemic more than 180,000 households have lost their homes and been made homeless – many of them are families with children hidden away in grim temporary hostels. That’s why we have been speaking to people across the football community to launch #NoHomeKit.
“No Home Kit is a simple Boxing Day campaign where clubs and fans swap their home colours for their away or third kit. This will powerfully show their support for all those without a safe home today.
“We want as many teams, players and fans as possible to join #NoHomeKit and work with us to help those experiencing the harsh realities of homelessness this winter.
“Everyone involved in #NoHomeKit can do something special by bringing the entire football community together to fight the housing emergency.”
Twitter users have reacted with the news that 17 EFL clubs will wear their away kits at home on Boxing Day…
Surprised the EFL don’t want to deduct points and fine the clubs for proposing it!
ā Gary Marsh (@GeeCeeEmm) November 11, 2021
@Netflix_Chilwel: No financial gain, not interested
@toon1978: The Premier League scores more own goals than anyone else
@CForster0: Probably the only good decision the EFL has made in years.
@dale_hirst: Hope @swfc are taking part in this #brilliant campaign with @Shelter WAWAW
@grantharvey082: @premierleague shameful immorality corrupt organisation that needs drastic reform
@fwb1974: Yet they allow poppies, also Liverpool had a sight charity as a sponsor, both of which I fully support. Maybe prem league teams cld all have a homeless charity as their sponsor on that wknd.
@mattbell40: Premier League all about money, well I never
@ToonMouthTyne: The @premierleague are awful. Truly sad, this.
@granyblopfudge: #PremierLeague need to rethink this. They allow poppies on shirts, actively push taking the knee, but wont support homelessness awareness? Such a corrupt organisation.
@SjMaskell: Nice one #Pompey
@Jimlibob: @officiallydale will you be joining in with this?
@AshleySymonds_: Hope we have considered this @IpswichTown āŖļøā«ļø #itfc
@jackph21: Good on them, prem teams should just fuck the lizards in charge off and do it anyway.
@NCbantz: The @premierleague should take notice!
@Joeytaylor123: Two Tone at Cardiff away on Boxing Day? Ohh go on then
@Hug0R0ss: When are we going to realise that the premier league is part of English football!? Make all 10 prem clubs at home forfeit the pointsā¦ sure theyāll soon whip the away strip on
@LewisJr__: Premier league reeks.
@JonnyMiddleton2: A classy move from the EFL, hope the Premier League will eventually follow suit.
@terminallytang1: This sounds an excellent initiative to make a point that needs to be made about what has become of Britain under #TeamCorruption
@BENJSCOX: However, they will deduct points & fine clubs if they do…
@CamGT67: EFL leading the way again
@_TheClassicMan: PL have somehow been shown up by an entity that it can be argued is more corrupt than they are
@JackPears93: This is more like it. Fuck the Premier League
@Dannylowe85: Where does it end though for me personally, great cause that can be raised equally without this. People or organisations could come up with something every single week and how can you say no to one when agreeing others. As I say mint cause but doesnāt need to effect games
@Gary_Poynton: God, the Premier League is so grim isn’t it. What possible reason could you have to deny this?
@leerooney: Would be good to know if @officialcufc plan to back this initiative? Would happily chuck a few quid in a bucket outside the ground to show support as well. @joncolman @NClibbens #cufc
@TommyWinter23: EFL say yes, premier league say no. Premier league is not fucking fit for purpose, not interested if there’s no financial gain for themselves
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