Why do Italian national sporting teams play in blue colours? | Notes and Queries

Why do Italian national sporting teams play in blue colours?

Frazer Orr, Dublin Ireland

• It was the colour of the Italian royal family.

  Rufus, Bristol UK

• Italian sports teams play in blue shirts rather than the colours of their national flag in a custom dating back to the country's pre-republican days. Blue was the official colour of the Royal House of Savoy and this tribute to the Italian monarchy survives today.

  Max Wurr, Stanmore UK