Football fans have voiced their anger at being unable to have their names and numbers on the new Wales women away shirt. Haley Evans, from Cardiff, said it "screams of the bias that often crops up in the women's game" that fans could not personalise the mint green Adidas shirt, which was released specifically for Euro 2025 in Switzerland. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) unveiled the shirt after the teamqualified for the first major tournament in their history. JD Sports said it was waiting for a delivery of the new print colour and would be able to offer the service to customers soon. Fans can personalise the home shirt - which is shared by the men's team - but, while the men's away kit can have any name and number on it, this option is not available on the women's version, which is priced at £75. A member of the Wales squad, who wished to remain anonymous, toldTelegraph Sport: "It's extremely disappointing that, as we prepare for the Euros, as we make history, we still can't get access to names on the back of our shirts." Ms Evans, 44, said: "I understand it's only to do with away shirts, but it's our first ever major tournament and it shouldn't be an issue and should be doable. "I was at the first game in 2019 where the women played against Italy in their shirts [with their names on their back] for the first time. The players had been fighting for that for a long time. "To come from there to now here, where we have qualified for the Euros and fans can't get their names on their shirt. It's a bit of a joke. We wouldn't be going through this for a men's shirt." Ian Johnson from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, said the oversight was "the sort of sloppy mistake that major companies shouldn't still be making". The 46-year-old added: "Walking down any high street, you can see footballers' names on the back of the shirts being worn, so why would they not be set up in advance to do this for the Wales national team? "Hopefully Wales qualifying and playing at the Euros will inspire a new generation of footballers to follow players like Jess Fishlock and Angharad James - and their fans can wear their shirts proudly." Emma Walters, from Swansea, said it was "sexist", as it would not happen with the men's team. "I tell my daughter she is no different, so why can't we have the same opportunities? What is the reason? What is the reason behind it?" She added that her daughter Freya, who is a goalkeeper for her local team, was also unable to buy a goalie kit for either the men's or women's team, which she felt was "unfair". Phillip Buffery, from Caldicot, Monmouthshire, said it was "a kick in the teeth" that fans could not get the shirt personalised. He added that his nine-year-old daughter Amelia was also "devastated" that she could not get a goalkeeper kit. "She idolises Laura O'Sullivan and says she wants to be the next goalkeeper for Wales, and captain. To not be able to get the kit for her is really heartbreaking." The FAW said it was "in regular dialogue with Adidas and JD to find a resolution" ahead of the Euros, which kick off on 2 July. Rhian Wilkinson's side start their campaign on 5 July against the Netherlands before facing France four days later and England on 13 July. Kit maker Adidas added: "We are always exploring ways to expand our options and better meet the needs of fans who want to show support for their teams." It is not the first time a national women's team have been dragged into a kit row around a major tournament. Mary Earps, theformer England goalkeeper criticised Nikefor not making replica versions of her goalkeeper shirt. Nike later said "limited quantities" would go on sale, which promptlysold out in a matter of minutes.
Anger as fans can't personalise Wales women shirt
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Wales Women's Football Fans Upset Over Lack of Personalization for Away Shirt"
Bbc News
8.5
TruthLens AI Summary
Fans of the Wales women's football team have expressed significant frustration over the inability to personalize the newly released away shirt, which has been designed for their participation in Euro 2025 in Switzerland. Haley Evans, a supporter from Cardiff, highlighted the issue as indicative of a broader bias within women's football, noting that while fans can customize the home shirt shared with the men's team, the same option is not available for the away kit. The shirt, priced at £75, was unveiled following the team's historic qualification for their first major tournament, but the lack of personalization options has left many feeling disappointed. An anonymous member of the Wales squad shared their discontent, emphasizing that as the team prepares for such a milestone event, it is disappointing that fans cannot add their names to their shirts, especially given the progress made in the past regarding visibility and support for women's football.
Supporters across Wales have echoed similar sentiments, with comments indicating a sense of unfairness and a perception of gender bias. Ian Johnson from Barry criticized the oversight as a significant error that major companies should avoid, questioning why proper arrangements were not established in advance for the team's merchandise. Emma Walters from Swansea described the situation as sexist, arguing that if such limitations were not placed on the men's team, they should not exist for the women's team either. Furthermore, parents like Phillip Buffery expressed heartbreak over their children’s disappointment in not being able to get personalized kits, particularly for goalkeepers. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has stated that it is in discussions with Adidas and JD Sports to address the issue ahead of the tournament. As the team gears up to compete against formidable opponents like the Netherlands, France, and England, fans are hopeful that their concerns will be resolved promptly, allowing them to support their team with pride and personalization options.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The news article highlights a significant issue regarding the lack of personalization options for the new Wales women's away football shirt. This has sparked frustration among fans who feel that the oversight reflects a broader bias against women's sports. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has faced criticism as supporters express their disappointment over the inability to customize the shirts, especially given the team's historic qualification for Euro 2025.
Public Sentiment and Bias in Women's Sports
Fans, including Haley Evans from Cardiff, have articulated their anger, suggesting that this situation exemplifies the systemic bias that often permeates women's sports. The sentiment is echoed by members of the Wales squad, who feel that the lack of personalization undermines their achievements as they prepare for their first major tournament. The comparison between the men's and women's kits highlights the disparity in how women’s sports are treated, with the men's away kit offering personalization options while the women's does not.
Corporate Responsibility and Oversight
Critics have labeled the situation as a "sloppy mistake" by major companies like Adidas and JD Sports, implying that such oversights should not occur at this level. The expectation is that these companies would have the necessary infrastructure to support personalization for all teams, especially in light of the growing popularity and support for women's football. This incident raises questions about corporate accountability and responsiveness to fans' needs.
Potential Implications for Women's Sports
The article suggests that this oversight may have broader implications for the women's sports community. The anger expressed by fans could catalyze a demand for greater equality and respect within the sports industry, potentially influencing how sponsors and organizations approach women's teams in the future. It may also spur discussions about the importance of recognizing and supporting women athletes in a manner that is on par with their male counterparts.
Manipulative Elements and Trustworthiness
While the article presents a straightforward account of fan frustrations, it does carry an undertone that seeks to elicit a strong emotional response from readers. The emphasis on bias and disappointment serves to draw attention to the inequalities faced by women in sports. However, the facts presented about the shirt and the reaction of fans are based on genuine sentiments, which lends credibility to the article. The overall reliability of the news is high, as it reflects real experiences and opinions from fans and players alike.
The article does not appear to contain any hidden agendas or information that is being concealed from the public. Instead, it shines a light on an important issue that has implications for the future of women's sports and how they are marketed and supported.