TUNIS, Tunisia (AP)— FIFA President Sepp Blatter said Friday that Cameroon's new one-piece kit will be outlawed, but probably not in time to stop it from being worn at the African Cup of Nations.
Blatter criticized Puma, manufacturers of Cameroon's kit - which combines the shorts and jersey, has zippers on the shoulders, and red lion's claw-marks down either side.
"It is the second time the supplier poses a problem to the laws of the game," Blatter told reporters. Two years ago, Cameroon wore sleeveless shirts to produce a first fashion statement.
"I am sorry they (Puma) did not consult us before," Blatter continued. "This is against the laws of the game and it will not be accepted."
Representatives of Puma couldn't immediately be reached for comment.
Blatter said FIFA's international board will meet at the end of February and will deal with the issue.
However, the meeting comes nearly two weeks after the end of the African Cup - where title-holder Cameroon looks for a third-straight success.
Blatter did not say if Cameroon would be allowed to wear the kit during the tournament, which begins Saturday and ends Feb. 14.
Issa Hayatou, elected Thursday for a fifth term as CAF African soccer confederation president, did not offer comment on his countrymen's controversial new kit.
Blatter is unequivocal that such outfits have no place on a soccer field.
"We (FIFA) are not the guardians of the sporting goods industry," he said. "We are the guardians of the laws of the game."
It was the second time in 10 days Blatter was confronted with a problem of proper attire.
Last week, Blatter said women players should consider wearing more revealing uniforms, such as skimpier shorts, to bring more attention to their game.
Blatter said women's soccer needs different sponsors from the men's game and should try to attract fashion and cosmetics companies by featuring "more feminine uniforms."
He said Friday body suits for women would also be outlawed since the rules of the game clearly mention the need for shorts, shirts and socks.
He said his comments on special wear for women had been taken out of context, but added that women's soccer had rarely been talked about so much because of it.
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