NETHERLANDS: Contrary to FIFA strict equipment rules, an amateur Dutch ladies soccer team is playing their games in skirts

Record ID: 253707

  • Title: NETHERLANDS: Contrary to FIFA strict equipment rules, an amateur Dutch ladies soccer team is playing their games in skirts
  • Date: 17th September 2008
  • Summary: (L!3) UDEN, THE NETHERLANDS (SEPTEMBER 14, 2008) (REUTERS) GIRLS CLIMBING DOWN A MUSIC TRUCK BY THE PITCH CLOSEUP FEMALE LEGS IN SKIRT, RUNNING ON THE PITCH VARIOUS OF THE GAME TEAM CAPTAIN RINSKE TEMMING DURING THE GAME (SOUDNBITE) (English), RINSKE TEMMING, TEAM CAPTAIN, SAYING: "We think they are far more elegant than the traditional shorts and furthermore they are more comfortable because the shorts are made for men" GIRLS CELEBRATING A GOAL (SOUNDBITE) (ENglish), JAN VAN DEN ELZEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCCER CLUB "DE RAKT", SAYING: "Many girls would like to play in skirts but they didn't think it was possible." TEAM MEMBER WAITING TO ENTER THE GAME MORE OF THE GAME PLAYER ON THE GROUND AUDIENCE WATCHING THE GAME PLAYERS LEAVING THE PITCH
  • Embargoed: 2nd October 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Netherlands
  • Country: Netherlands
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVACWVYOEJ4FUYMZQ4GNXB12B1D0
  • Story Text: Contrary to FIFA strict equipment rules, an amateur Dutch ladies soccer team is playing their games in skirts An amateur Dutch ladies soccer team is bending the rules of the game because they prefer to play in skirts.
    While their opponents stick to the mandatory baggy shirts and shorts combination seen in the men's games, the ladies from FC de Rakt show their skills on the pitch in fitted shirts and short skirts. The clothing initially faced a ban due to strict equipment rules but upon closer inspection Dutch football association KNVB said it was acceptable as the women were still playing in shorts, but with a skirt over them.The president of international football federation FIFA Sepp Blatter caused a stir in 2004 when he suggested that female soccer players should wear sexier attire to attract more television viewers. But a 21-year-old team captain Rinske Temming said it was more about girls asserting their femininity than trying to turn on the boys.

    "We think they are far more elegant than the traditional shorts and furthermore they are more comfortable because the shorts are made for men," said captain Temming.
    While female soccer often struggles to attract public interest, the De Rakt girls in their feminine attire have raised the hits on the club's website to hundreds of thousands per week and drawn media attention from all over the country. Chairman Jan van den Elzen said it was not a publicity stunt, but something the team had wanted for themselves.

    "Many girls would like to play in skirts but they didn't think it was possible."
    Women wear skirts in several other competitive sports, including tennis and hockey. A FIFA spokeswoman said according to the laws of soccer, the basic compulsory equipment includes shorts, and skirts are not an option.
    But it said decisions on the matter could be made at the national level and it would not comment unless it had an official request to look into the issue.
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