Beware the Shark! Ferran can fill lethal Lewandowski's boots

Reeling Real Madrid are all set for another Barcelona beatdown

Fit-again Kelly key to Arsenal's hopes of UWCL comeback

The best Didier Drogba interview you'll ever read

How Newcastle beat Madrid & Barca to sign Malaga wonderkid

Editors' Picks

Aluko faces axe after leaving bosses 'angry' by accusing Wright

Guardiola & wife Cristina to give marriage second chance 

Dorgu's name change! Man Utd wing-back makes special request

Real Madrid to boycott Copa del Rey final against Barcelona?

Rodri as manager? Pep allowing Ballon d'Or winner to coach City

Europe's most exciting title race - starring Scott McTominay!

De Bruyne to snub Man City's Club World Cup bid to chase new deal

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Monga was introduced in the 74th minute</li><li>Became the second-youngest player to play in the PL</li><li>Surprisingly had no sponsor on his shirt</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Explained: Why Leicester City's 15-year-old debutant Jeremy Monga had to wear blank shirt against Newcastle after becoming second youngest Premier League player in history

Premier League

Leicester

Southampton

Brighton

Newcastle

<p>At just 15 years and 271 days old, Monga came off the bench during Leicester’s 3-0 loss to Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium on Monday night, becoming the second-youngest player ever to feature in a Premier League fixture. Only Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri, who debuted at 15 years and 181 days in 2022, was younger when he made his first appearance. Yet what caught the eye <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/harry-winks-axed-leicester-furious-confrontation-ruud-van-nistelrooy-100-mile-commute-amid-birth-newborn-daughter/blt282e5f8273f3d4fd" target="_blank">immediately was not only Monga's age</a> but the blank shirt he wore - free of a sponsor logo - due to a specific Premier League rule tied to gambling advertisements.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Leicester's official kit sponsor, BC.GAME, is an online cryptocurrency-based gambling platform. Under the terms of a review of the Gambling Act 2005, which the Premier League abides by, no player under the age of 18 is allowed to wear a jersey <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/man-utd-ruud-van-nistelrooy-ruben-amorim-leicester-relegation/blt3c3f35a90bd135f9" target="_blank">displaying any gambling-related sponsor.</a> As a result, Monga was handed a sponsorless shirt when he entered the field in the 74th minute against Newcastle, in full compliance with the regulations.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>This season, Monga has been a regular presence in Leicester's youth setup, making appearances for both the Under-18 and Under-23 squads. He also featured three times in the Football League Trophy, further showcasing his potential against senior opposition. Additionally, he was part of the senior squad for the FA Cup clash against Manchester United in February, though he did not get any minutes on the pitch.</p><p>Despite the heavy defeat to Newcastle, Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy had encouraging words about his young winger's performance as he told reporters: "You could see glimpses of his great qualities. He's a great winger and has speed. He's a fantastic talent, a great boy. He deserved these minutes and hopefully, more to come."</p>

WHAT VAN NISTELROOY SAID

<p>While Monga’s debut offered a rare bright spot, Leicester’s wider predicament remains bleak. Monday’s loss was their eighth consecutive league defeat - all without scoring a single goal. The result leaves them second from bottom in the Premier League table, 15 points adrift of safety with only seven matches left to play. Their next fixture sees them travel to Brighton on Saturday, where they will hope to end their scoring drought and breathe some life into a rapidly fading survival bid.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LEICESTER?

Explained: Why Leicester City's 15-year-old debutant Jeremy Monga had to wear blank shirt against Newcastle after becoming second youngest Premier League player in history | Goal.com

Leicester City&apos;s 15-year-old debutant Jeremy Monga had to wear blank shirt against Newcastle to abide by Premier League regulations.

Explained: Why Leicester City&apos;s 15-year-old debutant Jeremy Monga had to wear blank shirt against Newcastle after becoming second youngest Premier League player in history

Next matches