Why Cameroon played with white instead of usual green (05.06.2002)
Martin Etonge, Fujiyoshida
Jean Francois Jeanne, Europe marketing officer for PUMA, the kit providers of the Indomitable Lions has offered an explaination to the Lions change of their traditional green, red and yellow colours during their first World Cup game.
Superstitious fans hold that any other colour than green jerseys brings bad luck to the team. Reason why Cameroon drew one all with Ireland, despite taking the lead in the first half.
But Jeanne said the white colour used last Saturday was imposed by FIFA and not an obtion of the firm to change the image of the Lions.
In a press conference organised by Puma, Jeanne said FIFA rules required that a
countrychose two colours. The first one which is the traditional colour and the second which must be an opposite colour of the first. So in the case of Cameroon it was green and white, though there is no white colour on the national flag.
Jeanne added that still according to FIFA rules it was the second team (the visitors) who have to change in case both teams had the same first colour. Consequently, since the Republic of Ireland used green, Cameroon had to use white, their option.
The fans can however hope for better Cameroon games as the draws for the next two games have offered Cameroon a favourable position. Cameroon are `hosts` to Saudi Arabia and Germany. So they will play in green.
