€60 price tag of FAI jersey queried

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) will launch a new Republic of Ireland soccer strip today

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) will launch a new Republic of Ireland soccer strip today. Groups representing consumers and soccer supporters questioned the value of the new shirt's €60 price tag.

The FAI said the main change to the strip will be seen on the jerseys. Printed shadow-effect horizontal stripes will feature down the new V-neck jersey, which, the FAI said, will cost "around €60" for an adult size.

An FAI spokesman would not comment on why it has brought out a new strip now but said the change was something that "just happens every couple of years". He said it has been "about two years" since the strip was last changed.

Designers and manufacturers of the new strip, Umbro, said it had no involvement in setting the price of the new kits. "By law we cannot recommend any retail price as it is against EU law," an Umbro spokesman said. "We sell it at wholesale price and it's up to the shops themselves to add their mark-up," he said.

READ MORE

Lifestyle Sports confirmed that old Irish soccer strips were "reduced to €40" but it would sell the new strip today at "€60 for an adult size and €45 for a child's size" jersey.

It said a large sponsor logo is on the jerseys, which does not feature on the strips worn by Republic of Ireland players. "It's against FIFA rules for the players to wear jerseys with sponsor logos but retail replicas do have them," it said.

Mr Dermot Jewell of the Consumers Association of Ireland said the FAI was earning huge revenue from the sponsorship. "Here we have the latest product being marked up at top-of-the-range prices," he said. "There should be something passed back to the fans. It's a poor deal," he said.

Mr Thomas Coughlin of the Supporters Club of Ireland said, "In view of the fact that fans can't buy an exact replica jersey, it should be reflected in the price."