Adidas 'Furious' As Contracted England Players Wear Nike Off Pitch, Spokesperson Says

A "major row" has broken out between Nike and adidas "over the leisure clothing England players have been wearing on the World Cup trip," according to Charles Sale of the London DAILY MAIL. Adidas "realise there is nothing they can do about their contracted footballers," who include captain Steven Gerrard, wearing the official kit on and off the pitch as rival Nike "have the supply contract until 2018." But adidas is "furious the vast wardrobe of gear Nike provide includes heavily branded clothing with little or no obvious England logos." An adidas spokesperson said, "This is a massive issue for us and it’s very naughty what Nike are doing." Adidas also has Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Luke Shaw, Phil Jagielka, Frank Lampard and the recently-signed Rickie Lambert "in their England stable." Adidas said that they "have contacted agents of their players to ask for their support in the protest to the FA with a legal battle looking likely." Nike was "unavailable for comment" (DAILY MAIL, 6/15).