This is too funny not to be true. Al Ahram reported that Egypt’s national soccer team is “forced” to break the Arab Youth and Sports Ministers’ decision to boycott Adidas, after the sportswear company sponsored the Jerusalem marathon… because the national team do not have an alternative kit to wear.
“We have no choice but to wear Adidas in the UAE camp as we don’t have any other outfits,” the Egyptian national team’s Executive Director Samir Adly told Al Ahram.
Earlier this month, Saudi Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal, chairman of the Arab Council of Youth and Sports Ministers, announced during the council’s meeting in Jeddah that “all companies that have sponsored the marathon in Jerusalem, including Adidas, will be boycotted.”
So much for Saudi “honest broker” talk…
Adidas was the only non-Israeli sponsor of the race, which the sports council claimed was nothing but an attempt by “Israel to mislead public opinion into believing that Jerusalem is its capital which is a violation of all UN resolutions.”
“I hope the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) resolve this problem when we return from the UAE as we currently have no options but Adidas,” Adly added.
The association’s spokesman told Al Ahram that “they can’t just get rid of the team’s old clothing.” And, besides, “the association hasn’t received any official letter from the sports council about not wearing the Adidas outfits.”
Al Ahram notes The EFA board have had a turbulent few months since the Port Said disaster on February 1, when more than 70 soccer fans were killed following a disputed (obviously) league game. All domestic football activities were suspended due to security concerns. Consequently most of Egypt’s clubs have suffered from lack of funds.
Hence the need to hold on to the offending, pro-Zionist uniform, or go without…
“I hope the EFA provide the team with new outfits before we play Mozambique and Guinea next month in the World Cup qualifiers,” Adly concluded.
Or put a star of David on them and be done with it…