Linfield tight-lipped after sportswear giant Umbro denounces ‘UVF’ team kit – but indications that club will not back down

Sportswear giant Umbro has dramatically denounced one of its own football kits – whilst the club at the heart of the row remained silent.
By Adam Kula
Published 16th Jun 2020, 07:00 BST
Some people have complained that the top uses the same colours as appear on UVF flagsSome people have complained that the top uses the same colours as appear on UVF flags
Some people have complained that the top uses the same colours as appear on UVF flags

In a statement yesterday, Umbro said it will not promote its recently launched Linfield away strip after alleged similarities were drawn between the colours of the kit and the colours used by the UVF.

The row began last week, and was given extra momentum by ex-England star Stan Collymore, who posted a picture of the kit online, next to a picture of a UVF flag.

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Linfield has strongly denied any association, and stressed its “inclusive” credentials in response to the row – with fans rallying to the defence of the club.

Then yesterday Umbro said in a statement: “At Umbro we believe in the unifying and democratic power of football.

“This is why we are opposed to all forms of discrimination, discriminatory behaviour and violence.

“Kit designs are a collaborative process and this kit was based purely on guidance from the club.

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“We apologise unreservedly for any offence we have unintentionally been party to.

“Furthermore there will be no promotion of this product on any Umbro channels.”

Previously, Linfield had said the kit “was excellently designed by our long-term kit suppliers Umbro and can be proudly worn in action by all our teams”.

It also said that “any similarity/likeness/resemblance with any other design used by any other entity is totally coincidental”.

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Efforts were made to reach someone at the club yesterday in the wake of Umbro’s statement, but no response was received at time of writing.

However, the club’s Twitter feed gave no indication that it is going to back down and axe the kit; it retweeted a picture of a Linfield fan wearing the strip, along with the message: “Thanks for purchasing. Wear it with pride!”

The adult jersey was yesterday sold out on the club website.

Among those coming to Linfield’s defence yesterday was Gary Hynds, a former MP candidate for the Conservatives in Lagan Valley.

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He wrote on Twitter : “This story has been totally absurd from start to finish. Such a shame so many organisations continue to cave in to mob-like behaviour from the serial offended. Linfield will make a fortune on sales however due to the coverage this has all had, so they will get the last laugh.”

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