You are here: Home → Sports → Soccer → 2023 10 13 → Article 700841

Soccer News of Friday, 13 October 2023

Source: www.sportsbrief.com

Today in History: When FIFA hammered Cameroon for wearing unitard kit

« Prev

Next »

Comments (0)

Listen to Article

Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto'o Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto'o

Sometimes innovation draws the ire of authorities.

Throughout their partnership, kit manufacturer Puma pushed Cameroon to the limits of football fashion.

The sleeveless shirts of the early 2000s were a thing of beauty, but it was their unitard kit that dropped them in the hottest water.

Cameroon wore the unitard kit at the 2004 African Cup of Nations, and while it appeared to look like separate shorts and shirt, the top and bottom sections were sown together.

During the group stages, Cameroon and Puma were told to make an alternative arrangement but the kit suppliers were unable to provide a replacement in the timeframe specified.

Cameroon went ahead and wore the kit again in their 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Nigeria, and FIFA were not impressed.

The governing body took action against the West African nation and their kit supplier for being in violation of a rule stating all sections of kit need to be separate items.

On October 13 2006, FIFA handed down their belated punishment to Cameroon, penalising them six points in their 2008 AFCON qualifying group.

On appeal, FIFA rescinded the deduction, and Cameroon qualified for the tournament in Ghana, even making it to the final where they were beaten 1-0 by Egypt.

Puma continued to produce striking kits for Cameroon, allowing them to remain the trendiest team on the continent.

Sadly, the stylish duo parted ways in 2019, leaving behind a string of memorable attire both on and off the pitch, as listed by SoccerBible.