Nike has responded to complaints raised on a BBC programme in mid-November, which claimed that some of its football boots give off an unpleasant odour after the first wear.

A statement from the company said that it was taking the matter “very seriously” and that high-quality products and consumer satisfaction are of “the utmost importance”. It admits that a “very small number” of football boots or astroturf shoes are affected by the problem and apologises to customers that have experienced this. Some boots from the Mercurial and Total 90s ranges that have been sold since June 2007 are said to produce what the company describes as a “distinctive bitter, ammonia-like smell”.

Share this story: