FIFA and Puma resolve the Cameroon kit dispute

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FIFA and German sports goods manufacturer Puma have settled their long-running dispute over Cameroon's one-piece playing kit. FIFA said in a statement that the two parties had agreed not to disclose the terms of the settlement, but had reached an out of court agreement "in the interests of international football".

The dispute centered on a one-piece kit that Cameroon wore in the 2004 African Nations Cup, in the three group matches and the quarter-final. FIFA fined the Cameroon's football association with CHF 200,000 (EU 129,458) and docked them six World Cup qualifying points.

Puma maintained that there were no rules against wearing a one-piece kit in the Laws of the Game relating to equipment regulations, and a German judge ruled this year that the kit broke no rules. FIFA however claimed that Law 4 stated that basic equipment comprised a jersey or shirt and a pair of shorts so the one-piece kit contravened the regulations.

Puma alleged that FIFA’s decision was influenced by rival Adidas, which has close ties with FIFA, and sought a ruling that it could market the kit. Puma also claimed EU 2m in damages.