By Mark Baber
October 14 – Bayern Munich wunderkind Mario Götze has put his foot in it again, as he was snapped wearing Nike products, this time whilst on duty with the adidas-sponsored German national team.
Götze, the second most expensive German player ever (after Ozul), was pictured wearing Nike sports socks as the Germany squad prepared to play the Republic of Ireland on Friday.
According to German manager Oliver Bierhoff: “Things like this shouldn’t happen. The players are allowed to wear whatever boots they want, but otherwise we are committed to our partners, of course.”
According to Götze, “They are compression socks that I have worn for some time because of my injury. I didn’t think about it, I didn’t want to provoke anyone or advertise something.”
Götze signed a sponsorship deal with American supplier Nike in 2012 and has appeared in their advertisements together with other players breaking into superstardom including Eden Hazard, Christian Eriksen, Raheem Sterling and Theo Walcott.
Speaking to Germany’s Bild newspaper, Götze, who was involved in a row in July after wearing a Nike top as he was unveiled as a Bayern player following his move from Dortmund, promised: “This sort of thing won’t happen again by me.”
Bayern fined Götze €20,000 on the previous occasion, whilst this time around the matter has been dealt with internally by the DFB.
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