BDS claims win as Israel Football Association switches kit supplier

The switch of kit suppliers in the soccer world is not an uncommon practice. Every year, international teams and big name clubs switch sponsorship deals for new opportunities to generate revenue.

By JONATHAN WEBER ROSEN
Updated: AUGUST 3, 2018 18:38
FIFA President Sepp Blatter (center) speaks during the news conference that was held May 27 in Jerusalem. (photo credit: REUTERS)
FIFA President Sepp Blatter (center) speaks during the news conference that was held May 27 in Jerusalem.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement cried victory on Tuesday after the German sports mogul Adidas has decided to end its sponsorship for the Israel Football Association (IFA); however, official statements from FIFA told a different tale.
Adidas will no longer sponsor the Israel Football Association (IFA) due to pressures from the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement as of this past week, according to a Palestinian media news outlet, Ma'an News Agency.
In an interview with i24NEWS, an official Adidas spokesperson has mentioned that the German sports mogul has in no way made this decision based on politics.
According to the official website of BDS, over 130 Palestinian football clubs called on the German sportswear manufacturer to end its sponsorship of the IFA.
BDS claims that at the core issue for FIFA's support are the "settlement clubs." According to their official webpage, there are a total of six soccer teams that are considered illegal under international law.
"Major international organizations such as Human Rights Watch, UN experts and 175 lawmakers have all urged FIFA to resolve the issue of Israeli settlement clubs," according to the official BDS webpage.
Over 16000 inviduals signed an international petition calling on Adidas to drop the IFA, which was eventually delivered to FIFA's headquarters in Amsterdam, according to Ma'an news agency.
Adidas mentioned that the decision was "not politically motivated" and that the company "wishes to thank Israel's Football Association for its collaboration and wishes it success", according to an official statement.
The German sportswear company Puma will be working in conjunction with IFA in place of Adidas and has secured a four-year deal.
The switch of kit suppliers in the soccer world is not an uncommon practice. Every year, international teams and big name clubs switch sponsorship deals for new and different opportunities to generate revenue.

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BDS has released a statement calling for Puma to "ends its sponsorship of the IFA as long as it is involved in Israel's grave violations of international law."


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