Klinsi: No Adidas Boots, No World Cup

“Wear Adidas boots or stay at home.” That’s the patriotic warning emanating from the office of German national soccer coach Jürgen Klinsmann this week after a letter was sent out to those players hoping to feature in next year’s World Cup. The Germany coach is putting his three-striped foot down on the issue of players and their individual boot deals, quoting the terms of Germany's sponsorship and equipment contract which states players must be completely kitted out in Adidas gear. "There won't be any Germany players with any other boot than Adidas," Klinsmann said in an interview with Sport Bild newspaper. "If any player believes he has to take legal action so that he can play in his own boot (brand), well he can't sue to play for us. If he doesn't accept the terms, he won't come with us and he can watch the matches on television." The letter, addressed to a number of specific players, was drafted after professional football players union VdV said there were "problems with individual contracts with manufacturers of sporting goods other than Adidas".