ENGLISH FA TO BLOCK UNPOPULAR CHANGES TO SOCCER TEAM COLOURS

LONDON Aiming to protect soccer club traditions, the English Football Association gave itself power Friday to block changes to home jersey colours and badges that are unpopular with fans. Any proposed changes must pass extensive consultation with fans who are proven to have season tickets or attend a certain number of home games, the FA said in a statement. “The aim of the new rules is to put supporters at the heart of the decision-making process regarding these important club heritage matters,” said the FA, which can “take appropriate action, such as ordering a club to revert back to a previous crest or home shirt color combination.”