Barcelona Players Say Nike Jersey Absorbs Sweat, Gets Heavy

La Liga club FC Barcelona officials have "admitted that the players are unhappy" with their new uniform made by Nike, "complaining that it soaks up sweat to become a heavy, skin-clinging nuisance," according to Giles Tremlett of the GUARDIAN. Spain's El Pais newspaper reported that players have "even taken to weighing their shirts on scales at half-time to see how much weight they have gained." The club Friday "called a meeting with Nike to seek solutions." Nike said that it has "begun testing the shirt." A Nike spokesperson said, "Nike's product team is working to address concerns with the FCB home jersey." Tremlett notes the "much-vaunted eco-friendly pitch shirt, said to use the recycled plastic of a dozen water bottles in a single garment, reportedly uses a version of Nike's Dri-Fit fabric, made of polyester microfibres to help wearers stay dry and comfortable" (GUARDIAN, 9/27).