Nike dismisses Rooney's boot theory
The man who developed Wayne Rooney's new boot insists it had nothing to do with the injury which threatens to wreck the England striker's World Cup dream.
Rooney was wearing Nike's 'Total 90 Supremacy' boot for the first time at Stamford Bridge on Saturday when he suffered the broken metatarsal which Manchester United have confirmed will rule him out for a minimum of six weeks.
But, while England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson keeps his fingers crossed like the rest of a worried nation, the finger is again being pointed at the new-style boots which some people speculate are the major reason behind such a recent spate of metatarsal injuries.
Nike point out that of the series of England stars to be affected in recent years - including David Beckham, Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard - Rooney is the only one contracted to them.
And, at the high-profile launch of the 'Total 90 Supremacy' boot, which weighs in at a mere 10.5 ounces and features air technology specifically to cushion and protect the foot, boot developer Cedric Collet insisted there was no added risk to the safety of a player by the use of lighter micro-fibres in the boot construction rather than old-style leather.
"Nothing occurred in any of our tests to indicate the player would be at any risk," said Collet.
"The boot was specifically designed for Wayne and has incorporated three different types of protection for his foot.
"Every time we bring a boot out, the safety aspect is improved in some way.
"The boot is more durable and it keeps the shape around the player's foot.
"In some ways, I think these injuries are more linked to the speed the game is played at now."
Eriksson will take further medical bulletins on the 20-year-old over the next week before announcing his interim 26-man squad for this summer's tournament in Germany next Monday.
The Swede has already indicated his willingness to name Rooney in his final party if he thinks there is any chance the United forward will be fit for the knockout stages, which will not be until either June 24 or 25 depending on whether England emerge from Group B as winners or runners-up.
Nike also claim to have been exonerated by both Rooney and United's medical staff, who will liaise with manager Sir Alex Ferguson before the decision over whether to release the £27million forward for England duty is made.
"Any boot needs to be a mixture of protection and performance, however no boot can provide a guarantee against injuries," said a Nike spokesman.
"Manchester United have confirmed that there is no link between the boots and the injury sustained by Wayne."
For more soccer news from around the globe visit Soccer365
Comments
you should bring back the old supportive shoes insted of the fanci one they do not make you play better and football is football not a fanci dress party and . so you could have what rugby has a tele in a box and the ref with a micro phone and the ref ask the person in the box dive or freekick(penalty)from sean
Posted by: sean | June 3, 2006 04:10 AM
you wankers
Posted by: Anonymous | June 3, 2006 04:10 AM
As an ardent football fan , what is the common denominator behind Cole, Rooney Van Persie, Beckham etc regards injuries sustained to foot whilst playing footbal, why are these injuries so prevalent?
I have watched and played football for most of my life and the boot of choice in my day was Puma,it was robust possibly heavier than the new improved boots that pros ware but I think due to its lack of flexibility and maybe thicker leather it definitely added protection.
I cannot remember a pro player such as Dennis Law,Charlton,George Best, De Stefano etc being sidelined with this what seems now a common recurring injury,surely statistics point to the style of boot worn these days with the very fine durable leather ,rather than the older style of boot?
Has anybody reproduced the older style boot and completed tests on that rather than tests on the newer style boot that in my mind does not seem to be doing the job?
Hope you note my comments and I look forward to yours,I have posted a discussion on Facebook to see how the older and younger players feel about this topic.
Posted by: Nigel Warner | August 13, 2007 11:30 PM
Seriously. These injuries are stupid. Company's try to make inovative technology that can hurt a player. Soccer cleats are becoming to fancy. I think that F.I.F.A. should put better restrictions on companies about their boots. Because this is starting to get quite ridiculous.
Posted by: Keeeper King | August 14, 2007 11:41 AM
THX that's a great awnesr!
Posted by: Macco | June 21, 2011 11:41 PM