Football: FA denies Nike kit deal is imminent

Monday 17 November 1997 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Football Association expect to announce a decision before the new year on who has won the contract to supply England's kit into the next century. Claims that Nike are offering a pounds 150m, 10-year deal were dismissed as "premature" yesterday by an FA spokesman.

Umbro hold the current contract, which runs out in 1999. Nike and Umbro are two of several companies who have tendered.

"As yet the FA have not made a decision," a spokesman said yesterday. "It could be weeks or a couple of months, but it would be expected probably around the turn of the year."

Nike are determined to win the race, but privately the FA are annoyed that negotiations are not being kept private. A sneak preview of possible kit designs in a Sunday newspaper have not gone down well with the FA.

The Manchester City manager, Frank Clark, may raise transfer funds by selling centre-back Paul Beesley to Motherwell, who are interested in taking him in a pounds 100,000 deal.

Everton went back to the top of the women's Premier League after beating champions Arsenal 3-1 yesterday and getting a helping hand from their neighbours, Liverpool, who pulled off a surprise 2-1 victory over Doncaster to knock the Belles off the top of the table.

Two goals from the England international, Karen Burke, gave Everton a 3-1 win after her England colleague, Carol Harwood, had equalised for Arsenal following Louise Thomas's opening goal.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in