FIFA and PUMA have reached an out-of-court settlement in their legal dispute over Cameroon's one-piece playing kit. FIFA had previously fined Cameroon for wearing the uniforms during the African Cup in 2004, ruling that all teams must wear a separate shirt and short kit. The two parties have agreed not to disclose the details of this settlement, which both parties said was “in the interests of international football.”
Puma sued, arguing that there were no rules against wearing a one-piece kit in the Laws of the Game relating to equipment regulations. FIFAs position was that Law 4 stated that basic equipment comprised a jersey or shirt and a pair of shorts.
In April, a German court appeared to be ready to side with PUMA. Judge Ingrid Kefer pointed out that though FIFA rules state that “the basic compulsory equipment of a player is: jersey or shirt; shorts ,” the rules do not say the shirt and shorts cannot be connected.
Puma was seeking 2 million in damages and the ability to market the uniforms. Puma also claims that FIFA acted with the intent of aiding cross-town rival, adidas.
>>> While neither party has disclosed terms, just the fact that FIFA referred to the one-piece kit as “innovative” in their release may reveal which party came out on top
