Before you go whacking your television into submission, Sky Sports have announced that the first 25 seconds of England’s friendly against Switzerland tonight will be broadcast in black and white.
The gesture is a doff of the cap to the Kick It Out campaign, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month, and to “underline the importance of diversity” according the FA.
Sky’s coverage of the game at the King Power Stadium will switch to black and white as the teams take the pitch, and it will be first time an England game has been broadcast in monochrome for nearly 50 years.
The opening 25 seconds of @England’s fixture against Switzerland will be broadcast in black and white to honour @kickitout‘s 25th anniversary: https://t.co/9YMR6Ewaxw pic.twitter.com/ea2yEQ8FeR
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) 10 September 2018
This will be the first time an international match has been specifically assigned as a ‘Kick It Out’ friendly, though both Premier League and Football League matches have been regularly dedicated to the charity since 2001.
As such, the England players will warm-up in branded shirts before both teams take to the pitch accompanied by mascots specially selected by the anti-racism organisation, while awareness is drawn to their continuing work throughout.