Aston Villa and kit manufacturer Castore are expected to agree to an early termination of their contract amid the furore over the club’s ‘wet-look’ shirts that have prompted complaints from men’s and women’s players.
Telegraph Sport understands talks have already taken place over the possibility of finding an amicable way out of Villa’s ‘multi-year’ deal with Castore at the end of this season.
Villa and Castore both declined to comment on the deal, although it is understood those talks are not necessarily as a direct result of the issue with this season’s shirts that has piled pressure on to the British sports manufacturer.
Castore have finally broken their silence on the controversy surrounding Villa’s shirts, promising to “address this issue as quickly as possible to meet the standards we expect”.
Telegraph Sport can reveal that, as well as working on a long-term solution to remedy Villa’s shirts for the remainder of the campaign, Castore are examining whether there are any short-term options for the men’s and women’s teams for this weekend’s games.
A Castore spokesperson said: “There has been some media speculation about a potential issue in the football kit supplied by Castore to Aston Villa Football Club. We are working closely in collaboration with the club to address this issue as quickly as possible to meet the standards we expect. We would like to thank the club for their patience and support to date.
“As a proud new British brand, we always hold ourselves to the highest of standards and strive to do everything we can to constantly improve the performance of our products. This means addressing any customer concerns with promptness and humility.”
Newcastle United invoked an exit clause in their deal with Castore, which means that from next season the club will have their kits made by Adidas.
Villa’s co-owner Nassef Sawiris owns a stake in German sports manufacturer Adidas, which has prompted speculation that the Midlands club could look to follow Newcastle in moving from Castore to Adidas.
Telegraph Sport has been alerted to the fact Villa’s kits for this season are not currently listed among those for sale on the Castore pages of the JD Sports or Sports Direct websites, although it is not clear whether or not that is related to any talks over a potential early termination of their contract.
Telegraph Sport this week reported that players from Villa’s men’s and women’s teams had raised complaints about this season’s shirts that quickly become wet through and cling to their bodies.
It is understood that Villa feel the problem with the shirts represents a performance issue, with men’s players claiming they become heavy and uncomfortable, while women’s players have also raised concerns.
One source close to a male Villa player said: “The players are having to play in soaking wet T-shirts and it is a problem that needs to be solved. It cannot go on all season. The players look like they’ve jumped in a swimming pool after about 10 minutes.”
Another source close to the women’s squad described the kit as feeling “really bad” to play in, while another separately said they are “deeply concerned” and hoping for a solution.
Villa’s men’s team entertain Brighton on Saturday lunchtime, with the women’s team kicking off their season against Manchester United on Sunday. Both games are being broadcast live on television.
On Villa’s shirt issue with Castore, Andy Brian, commercial contracts lawyer and partner at law firm Gordons, said: “If the supply contract contains a detailed spec which is not being achieved, then it will be pretty straightforward to resolve; Castore will have to supply according to that spec. I don’t know what this contract says, but perhaps the more likely scenario is that Castore is supplying products which do comply with the contract, but Aston Villa are not happy with the quality. Realistically, it will likely be resolved commercially, but it’s pretty embarrassing.”
The issues with Villa kits only relate to the shirts worn by the players, so there is no threat of the club or Castore having to issue new replica shirts to supporters.
