In an effort to combat Romania's poor school dropout1 rate and boost children's interest in math, the country's football federation2 has kickstarted a novel initiative - having players swap3 their standard kit4 numbers for mathematical equations.

Football and mathematics are not mutually exclusive," said Romandian Football Federation president Razvan Burleanu. "We must look at sports and education as not only complementary but fundamental elements integrated in the training and perfection of children."