NUREMBERG, Germany -- A judge ruled the bodysuit uniforms
worn by Cameroon's soccer team at the African Cup of Nations broke
no FIFA rules.
The ruling came at the start of a hearing into a lawsuit filed
by Puma, the maker of the uniforms, against soccer's governing
body, which banned them.
"There is nothing there that says shorts and shirts must not be
linked together," Judge Ingrid Kefer said.
She said FIFA applied its rules arbitrarily and broke cartel
regulations. Puma is seeking $2.6 million in damages from FIFA and
wants a ruling that it can market the uniform.
The judge gave FIFA four weeks to respond and give a written
statement. A final ruling is expected June 1.
FIFA rules state players are to wear "a jersey or shirt" and
"shorts." FIFA says that means separate garments. FIFA fined
Cameroon last April for wearing the one-piece uniforms during the
African Cup. It also docked the country six points in its
qualifying campaign for the 2006 World Cup.
Cameroon and Puma had said they received approval to wear the
uniforms from the African Soccer Confederation.
Puma contends FIFA's decision was influenced by rival Adidas,
which works closely with FIFA.