Cortina says it has developed a special model of spiked and spikeless boots under its own Patrick brand that are ideally suited for football referees, who often run backward on the football pitch. The boot is currently being tested by Frank Debleekere, a Belgian referee who has been voted as third-best in the world, to be worn regularly from June on. Patrick has signed an endorsement deal with the Belgian association of referees. It is working closely with Moretti, the Italian-based licensee of Umbro who has the European rights for Patrick teamwear, and it is launching a line of vintage shoes that can initially be bought over the internet through a dedicated website, www.patrickheritage.com. Cortina, which bought the rights to the Patrick brand for most of Europe, with the exception of the U.K., has acquired them now also for the U.S., Canada and Mexico, where they were previously owned by Lonsdale.