Delivery of wrong-sized Lions jerseys leaves fans upset
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The new home (left) and away jerseys went on sale on Aug 2. Some fans hoped to wear their kits to Singapore’s Aug 7 ASEAN Championship match against Indonesia.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
- Many fans who ordered new Singapore jerseys from adidas via its app or website received wrong sizes, causing frustration before the upcoming match and National Day celebrations.
- Adidas acknowledged the sizing issue on social media and is investigating, while affected fans struggle with returns and exchanges.
- The jerseys launched with a multi-year FAS partnership, featuring iconic designs that honour Singapore football history and heritage.
AI generated
SINGAPORE – Excitement over the launch of new Singapore national team jerseys by adidas has turned to frustration for some Lions fans, who received the wrong sizes after placing their orders.
These fans are now racing to secure replacements before Singapore’s Aug 7 ASEAN Championship match against Indonesia and the National Day weekend.
The German sportswear giant and Football Association of Singapore kicked off a multi-year partnership on Aug 1 with new home and away kits that went on sale on Aug 2. The national team jersey retails at $99, while the on-field authentic top costs $169.
Lions fan Shafique Saat, 32, said he purchased three authentic versions of the home kit via the adidas mobile app on Aug 2.
He exchanged adiClub (adidas’ membership programme) points that he had amassed for a 30 per cent discount voucher and ordered three jerseys – two in large for his friend and his brother-in-law, and one in small for himself. He paid $354 in total.
On Aug 4, when Shafique collected the jerseys from a parcel pickup station, he found one small-sized and two XL-sized jerseys instead. He told The Straits Times that he had contacted adidas via the app, and was told that it would check and e-mail him after investigating. He has yet to hear from the brand.
Shafique said: “We were very excited about the kit launch and were looking forward to receiving them. I feel for my friend and brother-in-law because it is their jerseys that came in the wrong sizes, and they wanted to wear it for the National Day weekend.
“I also thought this was an isolated incident, but when I looked online, I realised that so many others are facing the same issue.”
In a press statement on Aug 5, adidas Singapore apologised for the hiccup.
It said: “We take full responsibility for this error and are committed to supporting every affected customer.”
Customers can exchange their jersey for the correct size at the adidas Brand Centre Orchard and adidas VivoCity. They may also opt for a return and full refund online.
Earlier, many fans took to adidas Singapore’s Instagram page to express their frustration or try to swop with others who had also received the wrong sizes. A user named lydiaizzati said: “love you Adidas, really. I bought 7 SG jerseys for my families but why... you send... wrong size?????”
Another user, ouimarkooi, said: “Ordered M and got sent an L size. Couldn’t do exchange for correct M size on adidas app so had to initiate return and make a whole new purchase. Hopefully, the correct size comes this 2nd time around.”
A Lions fan who wanted to be known only as Jia Hui had ordered a large-sized jersey but received an XL one instead. The 33-year-old said he had been looking forward to wearing the kit to the ASEAN Championship match at Jalan Besar Stadium on Aug 7, when the Lions will debut the new jersey.
He said: “I think it is very disappointing... and I am quite upset. Knowing that I’m not the only one who received the wrong size worsens it. I was one of the many people who managed to use my adiClub points to check out at a discounted price (15 per cent off) on the day of release. I am planning to swop my jersey with someone.
“If not, I’ll return it and then get a new one.”
Fans who have received the wrong sizes have also turned to online marketplace Carousell to try to sell their kits or find someone to swop kits with. As at noon on Aug 5, there were several such posts on the platform.
On Aug 2, the sportswear giant held a launch event at the adidas Brand Centre, where Singapore football icons Fandi Ahmad, Aleksandar Duric and Nazri Nasir were guests.
The home jersey sports the iconic red look, with navy blue and white on the collar and sleeves.
The away jersey sees the return of the Coventry blue colours worn by the team who ended a 12-year drought when they won the 1977 Malaysia Cup under legendary coach Choo Seng Quee – a nod to the Republic’s football history and heritage.