Germany's European Championship match against Ireland in Stuttgart has been overshadowed by a "brand war" that could see an end to Adidas's exclusive deal with the national side.
German World Cup stars, including goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and Miroslav Klose, are insisting on wearing Nike boots and kit for the match. The German Football Association (DFB) insists that all players honour sponsorship agreements and wear boots and kit from Nike arch rival Adidas.
Lehmann gave into DFB pressure during the World Cup and wore Adidas boots but has been complaining of "massive problems" ever since and insists on special boots created for him by Nike.
On Tuesday, he ignored the pleas and warnings of DFB officials and of general manager Oliver Bierhoff and showed up for training in his Nike boots, saying it was about "health, not money".
"After one week training with Germany in May I had problems and played the full World Cup with the (Adidas) boots," said Lehmann.
The Arsenal minder said that the Adidas boots caused him "massive pain" and that he still has problems now.
Bierhoff tried to defuse the situation after Tuesday's training session, saying: "(Lehmann's) had heel problems for 14 days and got special boots. Until we reach a final solution on this, I asked him to train on in Adidas boots but he isn't prepared to take a chance with these important European Championship games and insisted on training in his boots."
After conceding to the demands of the Arsenal goalkeeper, Bierhoff is now facing similar demands from other players, including the World Cup's top goal-scorer, Miroslav Klose.
Bierhoff narrowly avoided a player boycott over the boot row ahead of Germany's match against Sweden on August 16th, and now DFB officials are working feverishly on a compromise solution to keep players happy without endangering the exclusive Adidas deal which runs until 2010.
"I assume we will have a solution that everyone will be able to live with in future before the Ireland match," said Theo Zwanziger, president of the DFB. "The players have to be careful, including what is at stake financially, that the reputation of the team isn't damaged after the wonderful World Cup. It doesn't help anyone to call into question whether one plays on the national team, or that one won't play under certain circumstances."
Sources yesterday said that the row had been resolved and that from Saturday, players will be able to wear their boot brand of choice but will have to make appearances for the DFB wearing Adidas boots instead.
The boot row goes back to even before the World Cup, when DFB officials insisted players wear boots of German sportswear giant Adidas, based in the southern town of Herzogenaurach near Nuremberg, .
It has been associated with the national side for over half a century. Company founder Adolf 'Adi' Dassler, invented the screw-in stud, said to have helped Germany win the 1954 World Cup in Berne.
But only Germany and Austria force their players to wear a particular brand of boots. France and England and other countries allow their national players choose their own footwear.
Theo Zwanziger said he hoped the players' boot demands "are not being tempted for financial reasons".
Wearing Nike or Puma gear in national side games could help players demand more money from sponsors.
Mirsolav Klose was offered up to €6 million to wear Nike boots during the World Cup. Because he was forced to wear Adidas, he only received a €50,000 bonus.
Bierhoff knows what is at stake for all sides: he was a representative of Nike until he was appointed team manager two years ago.
The end of its exclusive deal with the German side could have financial implications for Adidas as the market leader in football boots faces increasing competition from Nike and Puma.
The company just posted a 24 per cent rise in second-quarter profits to €82 million after the World Cup sales surge.
Despite increased competition from Nike, the world's number one sportswear manufacturer, Adidas sales were still strong in the second quarter, jumping 60 per cent to €2.43 billion.
