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Replica versions of the shirts worn by Juventus in the upcoming Champions League will not be available to fans of the Turin club due to the sponsorship of a Libyan oil company.

Juve's shirts for Europe's premier club competition feature the logo of Tamoil - a Libyan-owned company.

American sportswear manufacturers Nike say they cannot produce replica shirts featuring the Tamoil logo due to United States sanctions against the North African country.

"Nike Inc. cannot produce, distribute or sell Juventus Football Club uniforms with the Tamoil logo on it, because Tamoil is listed as a prohibited entity in the sanctions regulations," said Charlie Brooks, spokesman for Nike in Europe.

The new Nike Juve kit for the domestic Serie A championship, featuring a return to traditional narrow stripes and white shorts, is available as it is sponsored by an Italian company Fastweb.

Juve wore Tamoil-sponsored shirts in last year's Champions League but as they were produced by Italian company, Lotto, the sanctions did not have an impact.

Since 1986 United States citizens and companies have had trade and commerce with Libya restricted by sanctions.

Nike's decision means Juve will lose a big share of the merchandising market in North Africa where the club enjoys huge popularity.