Barcelona unveil controversial new checked kit for 2019-20 season

Barcelona have unveiled their controversial new checked kit for the 2019-20 season.

The Nike strip sees the Catalan club move away from their traditional vertical stripes in favour of a shirt featuring red and blue squares, a pattern never before seen in the team's 119-year history.

"The worldwide launch of the new FC Barcelona home kit is taking place together with the campaign using the tagline 'Talent takes different shapes' and starring the club’s own athletes alongside rising talents from Barcelona from the worlds of fashion, culture, science and cuisine," Barca said on their website.

"The campaign is a tribute to talent and creativity, two iconic elements that Barça and Barcelona have in common. The city is a hub for talent that is expressed in many ways.

"Likewise, talent at Barça is diverse and multidisciplinary, and can be seen in the football first team, the women’s football team, the basketball, handball, futsal and hockey teams, its youth teams and also in its commitment to innovation and culture."

Defender Gerard Pique said: “The kit is something new and exciting.

"It might be different but it is 100 per cent Barca and it is even better that the design represents the bond the club has with the supporters and the people who are driving the city forward.”

But it remains to be see whether the fans will agree after a huge backlash on social media earlier this year when the proposed images were leaked.