Football Kit Banned By FIFA After Rule Breach

FIFA banned a home kit used during the Africa Cup of Nations after claiming it didn't meet their regulations.

Cameroon collaborated with Puma over the kit, which would be specially worn during the bi-annual tournament.

A senior staff member at Puma told BBC Sport that the kit had been shown to both FIFA and CAF, African football's governing body, and that both parties had determined that it could be worn.

It was added that the kit was also shown to the then FIFA deputy secretary general Jerome Champagne.

Cameroon donned the kit during the group stage of the 2004 tournament, and then again during their eventual quarter-final loss to Nigeria.

The controversial kit was initially banned by FIFA (Image: Getty)

But after an investigation, FIFA announced three months later in April that the kit in fact was in breach of their regulations.

Cameroon football's governing body, Fecafoot, was fined $154,000 and the nation were deducted six points in their 2006 World Cup qualifying group.

Fecafoot claimed that they obtained permission from FIFA to use the strip in the quarter-final against Nigeria as they would not be able to transport a replacement kit in time.

They successfully appealed the six-point deduction, but didn't reach the World Cup in any case as they finished behind Ivory Coast in their qualifying group.

The main issue with the kit was that it was a one-piece strip, with the shirt and shorts sewn together.

It wasn't the first time Cameroon had been involved in a similar dispute, having planned to use a sleeveless shirt for the 2002 World Cup.

Cameroon's sleeveless kit was also outlawed by FIFA (Image: Getty)

FIFA barred them from using that particular kit, however, and took issue with the one-piece kit as well.

FIFA stated that they had been 'given assurances that the team would wear authorised playing kit in the knock-out phases' of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, but that didn't happen.

A German judge ruled that the kit did not break FIFA rules.

Puma later sought damages from FIFA over the saga, with the two parties reaching an undisclosed settlement.

FIFA stated that the dispute had been resolved 'in the interests of international football', though made no further comment on what that resolution entailed.

Cameroon's partnership with the German manufacturer lasted until 2018, and they are currently in collaboration with Swiss manufacturer FOURTEEN.