UMBRO HAVE ISSUED a statement in relation to the new away kit produced by the company for Belfast football club Linfield.
Parallels have been drawn between the purple and orange kit, which was unveiled last week, and the colours used by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) loyalist paramilitary group.
Linfield vehemently dismissed suggestions of a link, insisting that “any similarity, likeness, resemblance with any other design used by any other entity is totally coincidental and entirely unintentional.”
The club’s kit manufacturer and sponsor has now released a statement of its own. While apologising for the role it played, the company says it took its lead from the Northern Irish Premiership champions during the production of the kit.
The statement reads: “At Umbro we believe in the unifying and democratic power of football. This is why we are opposed to all forms of discrimination, discriminatory behaviour and violence.
“Kit designs are a collaborative process and this kit was based purely on guidance from the club. We apologise unreservedly for any offence we have unintentionally been party to.
“Furthermore there will be no promotion of this product on any Umbro channels.”
Linfield, whose support is drawn traditionally from the unionist community, is Northern Ireland’s most successful football club, having won 53 league titles and 43 Irish Cups.
“Linfield FC is totally opposed to all forms of bigotry, prejudice, violence and discrimination,” the club added in its statement on Friday.
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Passion class respect Klopp + Liverpool = EUREKA. We are Liverpool tra la la la la
Just watched it on MOTD. Unbelievable how Barkley stayed on the pitch, Ashley Williams too. Koeman has no right to complain about the referee and the tackles according to the highlights shown by BBC
@Conor O’Neill: Chan stood on Barkleys arm too so worth a mention to balance your comment. But no excuse for either Barkley tackle or Williams stamp. Straight red to both and I’m evertonian. The later I’m surprised with after what happened mid week with Coleman. But that game today proved neither of these clubs are serious challengers. Everton were awful and Liverpool were marginally better. Coutinho is quality and Mane also a handful. Other than that I don’t understand the excitement.
Barkley couldve seen red but i honestly dont think he meant it.Williams lucky as well.we couldve had 2 extra men and still wouldnt have won.that red jersey just makes our players shite themselves.unbelievably frustrating
@Fran Heavey: there’s certainly some mental block for Everton when they come to Anfield. Regardless of the form of either side, who’s injured, who’s playing Everton just never seem to show up when they go there.