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Adidas forced to defend Man United's 'sexist' women's shirt

The club’s new kit supplier after released a statement amid criticism of the design.

SPORTS GIANT ADIDAS has defended the women’s version of the new Manchester United home shirt, which has received widespread criticism for its ‘sexist’ design.

The German sportswear manufacturer recently signed a 10-year deal, worth £750 million, to succeed Nike as United’s kit supplier.

But Saturday’s unveiling of the club’s 2015-16 designs was met with conjecture when the female alternative to the main strip was condemned by many on social media for its ‘discriminatory’ plunging neckline.

An Adidas spokesperson insisted in a statement that the garment was developed after consultation with supporters, and also cited a local newspaper poll which saw 75 per cent of readers back the design.

“Adidas provides ‎an adult shirt which is a replica of what the players wear,” the statement read.

“Based on research from fans, we also offer a women’s shirt as part of our lifestyle range of products. This range has a slightly different design and fit to give fans a choice.”

While United and Adidas have yet to reveal designs for their away and third-choice strips for the coming season, Old Trafford’s East Stand seating has already been reconfigured to include the Adidas logo ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener against Tottenham.

- Kris Voakes, Goal.com

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    Mute s mc
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    Aug 3rd 2015, 1:51 PM

    Don’t buy the women’s jersey if you don’t like f€€king thing. This is the stupidest thing I have heard in a long time

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    Mute GunsGerms
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    Aug 4th 2015, 8:05 AM

    Why anyone in Ireland would buy a ManU jersey is the most puzzling part of the equation for me.

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    Mute Donal Hayes
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    Aug 3rd 2015, 1:52 PM

    My missus loves it. Madrid, Munich, Chelsea, Germany all have the exact same women’s Jersey design by Adidas last year and there wasn’t a problem

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    Mute Jackboii01
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    Aug 3rd 2015, 2:20 PM

    That’s what I was thinking, because I was looking on Adidas for the new Juventus jersey and it had duplicates of those jerseys everywhere

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    Mute Paul
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    Aug 3rd 2015, 7:44 PM

    Well they’re designed for the shape of women’s bodies which women find okay but a lot of the argument is that it’s not a replica jersey really since it has a different neckline. They’re even selling it as part of their “lifestyle” range. It’s missing the black&red stripes which is part of the design influence.

    This seasons Chelsea kit for women is a replica kit which is designed for a woman’s shape and doesn’t have the different neckline. Granted they actually have a women’s team too so that’s probably why they’re selling the replica women’s shirt.

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    Mute Sean Barber
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    Aug 3rd 2015, 1:52 PM

    Sure women don’t mind a revealing neckline when it’s bought from any of the designer fashion companies, but when what appears to be a male dominated football company releases one its suddenly sexist?

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    Mute Del McG
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    Aug 3rd 2015, 2:24 PM

    It’s really going to show off Wayne Rooney’s cleavage

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    Mute Fran Heavey
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    Aug 3rd 2015, 2:51 PM

    Why are Adidas even releasing a statement to appease absolute morons who get offended by the shape of a cloud in the sky.

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    Mute Sean Babar
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    Aug 3rd 2015, 1:50 PM

    Please stop getting your information from goal.com

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Aug 3rd 2015, 2:24 PM

    at least they’re giving credit

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    Mute David Daithi Cullinane
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    Aug 3rd 2015, 1:51 PM

    These jerseys are commonplace at latter stages of gaa championship in Croker

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    Mute Martello Mulligan
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    Aug 3rd 2015, 3:38 PM

    Were cleavage lovers polled about this shirt? I suspect they won’t be buying it – you’d see more cleavage in granny’s wooly vest.

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    Mute conor
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    Aug 3rd 2015, 3:41 PM

    Ehh, do women want people to admire their chests? Or are they wearing revealing clothing for temperature regulation?

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    Mute Eddie Roche
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    Aug 3rd 2015, 6:28 PM

    I showed the jersey to my girlfriend (yes, I have a girlfriend, trust me, I’m more surprised than you are) and she said she actually liked it. She didnt have any problems with the neckline at all.

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    Mute mark
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    Aug 3rd 2015, 8:43 PM

    You should write to nike and tell them your missus sorted the whole thing.

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    Mute Sean Ryan
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    Aug 4th 2015, 8:57 AM

    It’s Adidas smart-ass!

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    Mute Fran Heavey
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    Aug 4th 2015, 9:57 AM

    Or adidas

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    Mute Katherine
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    Dec 29th 2015, 5:03 AM

    You must have at least one solid color designer t-shirt in your clothes. This is the shirt that can go with jeans, pants and everything in between. long sleeved shirts

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