German shoe strike threat averted after talks

The reported threat of a "shoe strike" among German players was averted yesterday after senior members of the squad held talks with Football Association (DFB) chiefs over sponsorship rules.

Under the terms of Germany's sponsorship and equipment contract, players must wear boots made by Adidas when playing for their country even if they have individual contracts with other sportswear firms.

Bild newspaper reported that the players were threatening to boycott the friendly international against Sweden in Gelsenkirchen today in a bid to get the rule overturned.

It is unclear how serious a threat that was but it was enough for DFB co-presidents Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder and Theo Zwanziger to hold lengthy talks with leading players Miroslav Klose, Jens Lehmann, Bernd Schneider and Torsten Frings.

After those talks, the DFB released a statement saying the players would all wear Adidas boots for the Sweden game.

It also said the rule could be changed in time for the European Championship qualifier against Ireland on September 2.

"The DFB presidents assured the players that after the Sweden game talks would be held with Adidas and the League with a view to finding an amicable solution," read the statement.

Several national team regulars, including World Cup top scorer Klose, wear boots made by rival sportswear companies when they play for their clubs but are forced to switch when they turn out for Germany.