The Russian Football Union (RFU) is criticizing Adidas for supplying poor-quality football clothing, according to a Russian newspaper, Sport Express, which says that the Russian national football team refused to play against Belgium and San Marino in November in the new kit designed and supplied by the company.
Most players and coaches were not satisfied with the design and quality of the football wear, Sport Express said. The main problem is that the design of the sleeves inverts the position of the three horizontal stripes of the Russian flag – in white, dark blue and red – making it look like the national flag of Serbia when the players’ arms are down. The Serbian flag also features a coat of arms, however.
Adidas explained that it designed the jersey so that Russian fans and football players would show the flag in the right position when raising their hands, for example when celebrating goals. This idea was supported by the Russian head coach, Stanislav Cherchesov, but apparently not by the players or some fans.
Alexander Dukov, president of the RFU, said that his organization had rejected Adidas’ design last January but that the German sportswear company launched the production of the kit regardless. Despite the incident, the RFU says it is not planning to terminate the sponsorship contact with Adidas, but may turn to the services of Russian suppliers to design the kits when the contract with Adidas is over.
Asked to comment on the debacle, Adidas said that it has been a partner of the RFU for 12 years and that it is confident that, together, they will find a solution.
