Serie A will replace its controversial orange Puma winter ball after discovering the design is invisible to people with color blindness.
Serie A to Switch to White or Yellow Ball
The Italian league introduced the orange ball, the Puma Orbita Hi-Vis, from matchday 12 of the current season. Serie A had moved away from the traditional yellow ball commonly used in winter months, believing the orange ball would provide better contrast in poor playing conditions.
However, Serie A officials failed to consider that the orange ball is practically invisible to supporters and players suffering from color blindness, making it a non-inclusive choice that has drawn widespread criticism.
Lega Serie A president Ezio Simonelli confirmed the league has requested its supplier to produce replacement balls, though the transition away from the orange ball will not happen immediately due to production complexities.
"We have received many justified protests on this issue, there are people who cannot see the ball due to color blindness," Simonelli explained in an interview with Rai Radio 1. "We have asked our supplier to prepare a quantity of new balls."
The production demands are substantial as Serie A requires 25 balls per match, totaling 500 per week, not including training balls provided to each team. The orange ball has been used since November 22, when Bologna defeated Udinese 3-0, and has featured in five consecutive matchdays.
"They've put new balls into production with a more visible color, but it will be a while before the orange ball is replaced. We'll go back to yellow or white," Simonelli confirmed.
However, Footy Headlines believes that Serie A could easily switch to the white ball, which was launched at the start of the season and of which the teams are likely to still have a few left. Also, you should not need 25 new balls per game, they should last much longer.
Should Serie A have tested the orange ball with color blind supporters before introducing it? Let us know in the comments below.