Sportswear brand Umbro have apologised for any offence they have “unintentionally been party to” in making the new Linfield shirt.
The jersey came under criticism last week over its similarities to the Ulster Volunteer Force flag.
The UVF were a loyalist paramilitary group, who were responsible for more than 500 deaths during the decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.
Umbro say they are against all forms of “discrimination, discriminatory behaviour and violence” and that the company won’t promote the NIFL Premiership club’s new kit.
Umbro said: “At Umbro we believe in the unifying and democratic power of football. This is why we are opposed to all forms of discrimination, discriminatory behaviour and violence.
“Kit designs are a collaborative process and this kit was based purely on guidance from the club. We apologise unreservedly for any offence we have unintentionally been party to.
“Furthermore there will be no promotion of this product on any Umbro channels.”
On Friday in reaction the criticism of the new football shirt release, Linfield issued a statement through its website to decry the rumours and any hint of intention:
”Earlier this week Linfield FC revealed images of the club’s new Away kit for the 2020/21 season.
The design has met with approval from large numbers of supporters but unfortunately and sadly, there have been certain suggestions from a small number from outside the club which this club can not ignore.
For the avoidance of all doubt, the design is of a football kit for a football club and any similarity / likeness / resemblance with any other design used by any other entity is totally coincidental and entirely unintentional.
Any allegation or inference to the contrary is robustly and vigorously rejected by this club which prides itself on being inclusive, open to all and representative of all.
Linfield FC is totally opposed to all forms of bigotry, prejudice, violence and discrimination.”
