Reggae Boyz and Reggae Girlz new home jersey
Sportswear powerhouse Adidas and the Jamaica Football Federation on Monday officially unveiled the first collection under their four-year apparel deal, which was designed by Grace Wales Bonner, including home and away jerseys, a pre-match jersey and an anthem jacket.
Crafted for the Reggae Boyz (Men’s Team) and Reggae Girlz (Women’s Team), the collection is available for purchase from today via www.adidas.com and select adidas stores and retailers.
The home jersey features the country’s national colours of black, gold, and green. The energy of the island is highlighted by fine pinstripe details that decorate the shirt, echoing the subtle groove of Jamaican music and style.
A woven team badge on the chest and Wales Bonner signoff on the back neck complete the eye-catching look.
The away jersey was crafted to represent the collective memories of proud Jamaicans and celebrates a commitment to fine craftsmanship, with its premium collar and cuffs in the signature Wales Bonner crochet texture.
“As a British born designer with Jamaican heritage, my work has always been imbued by cultural references from all sides of my identity. This collection is no different, when working with adidas and the Jamaica Football Federation, we set out to create a range that reflects the diverse nature and soul of today's Jamaica, authentically connecting with the Jamaican community across the globe,” said Wales Bonner.
As we celebrate the intrinsic relationship between Jamaican culture and football, it’s a collection that I’m hoping players and fans can wear with huge pride - on and off the pitch,” she added.
JFF President Michael Ricketts also gave his remarks.
“Ahead of an exciting year for our Reggae Boyz and Reggae Girlz teams, we’re incredibly proud to unveil these very exciting team kits and sportswear. We believe these designs captures the essence of Jamaica’s culture, as it not only represents Jamaican football but through the mixture of the distinctive Jamaican colours and the designs, highlights the greatest part of our world-renowned Jamaican culture.
We can’t wait to see Jamaican fans and players alike wearing the kits with pride on the world’s biggest sporting stages, as they cheer on the Reggae Boyz and Girlz.
With a bold ambition to further develop the opportunities for girls and boys to play grassroots football at home in Jamaica, this only marks the start of what we are certain will be an incredibly important partnership to inspire future Reggae Girlz and Reggae Boyz.”
President of Brazilian FA confirms Ancelotti interest
The president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has confirmed an interest in appointing Carlo Ancelotti as the next head coach of the national side.
Brazil are yet to name a permanent successor to Tite, who left following a quarter-final exit at the World Cup in Qatar, with the role likely to be filled at the end of the season.
Ancelotti remains contracted with Real Madrid until the completion of the 2023-24 season, but the Italian has been heavily touted to take the reins of the South American giants, with players among those talking up the possibility.
Ednaldo Rodrigues admitted he was the favourite among supporters and players, while acknowledging he was the confederation's main target.
"Ancelotti is unanimously respected among players. Not only Ronaldo Nazario or Vinicius Jr but all those that have played for him," he told Reuters.
"I really admire him for his honesty in the way he works and how constant his work is. He needs no introductions. He is really a top coach who he has several achievements, and we hope he can have even more.
"Ancelotti is not only the players' favourite, but it seems the fans' too. Everywhere I go in Brazil, in every stadium, he is the first name the supporters ask me about.
"They talk about him in a very affectionate way, in recognition of the exemplary work he has done in his career.
"Let's have faith in God, wait for the appropriate time and we'll see if we can make it happen as we look for the new coach of the Brazilian national team."
However, despite the abundance of praise and appeal of hiring Ancelotti, Rodrigues made it clear no formal approach has taken place and called for patience in the hunt for a new boss.
"We will be very ethical in our approach and respect the contracts that are in place. We also greatly respect the work that is done by any coach and his club to get there and make any kind of approach, it would be a lack of respect for the president of the clubs in question," he added.
"Therefore, we have the patience to wait for the right moment so that we can hold these conversations.
"Nothing is really defined yet to say the name [of the next coach] for sure, but it's within this line, you understand? We need a coach who has the players' respect and admiration."
Bayern 'really couldn't help' Nagelsmann leak, will 'let Tuchel be Tuchel'
Bayern Munich are adamant they were not at fault as Thomas Tuchel's appointment was reported before previous head coach Julian Nagelsmann had been sacked.
Nagelsmann was said to have learned of his departure through the media while skiing in Austria this week.
The news first broke on Thursday but was not made official for another 24 hours, by which point Tuchel had formally agreed to take the Bayern job.
However, Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic appeared on SPORT1's STAHLWERK Doppelpass on Sunday and defended the club's position.
"We met [with Tuchel] on Tuesday, had a very good conversation," Salihamidzic said. "And on Wednesday and Thursday, we negotiated with Thomas' managers.
"On Thursday evening, we learned that the information had been leaked by a third party. We really couldn't help it.
"I don't know who that was [behind the leak] – certainly from the other side. We behaved fairly. As fair as you can be in this business.
"The first person we called on Thursday was Julian Nagelsmann. You don't share such a decision on the phone. That's why we met the next day at Sabener Strasse. We waited until there was a commitment from Thomas Tuchel."
Indeed, although the leak looked "bad", the Bayern chief explained why it was not possible to dismiss Nagelsmann before putting a deal in place with Tuchel.
"It came out before Thomas Tuchel agreed, so I wouldn't have been able to call Julian yet," Salihamidzic said.
"I couldn't have told him, 'we're talking to Thomas now, but if he doesn't want to, you'll go ahead'.
"Of course, it's bad that this comes out beforehand, but that's not our fault."
Now, Bayern are looking forward to a future with Tuchel, even if he has had strained relationships with bosses at Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
Disputes have often centred around transfer business, but the Bundesliga champions are ready to back Tuchel.
"With Julian Nagelsmann, we entered the transfer market together and discussed everything. We will do the same with Thomas Tuchel," Salihamidzic said.
"The coach's ideas are important, he has to transfer them to the team. We have let Julian be Julian and will also let Thomas Tuchel be Thomas Tuchel."
Man City and England star Foden undergoes appendix surgery
Manchester City attacker Phil Foden has undergone surgery to remove his appendix.
England confirmed the news on Sunday, ruling Foden out of the Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine.
City subsequently announced that Foden would definitely miss next Saturday's crucial Premier League clash with Liverpool.
Foden, who came on as a substitute in England's win over Italy on Thursday but lasted only 12 minutes, had been suffering from acute appendicitis.
No firm timescale has been given for the 22-year-old's return, though the UK National Health Service (NHS) guidance recommends at least a two-week recovery period.
Foden has scored 13 goals and provided five assists in 36 appearances for City this season.
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