ONLINE clothing store Boohoo has launched a range of World Cup themed outfits aimed at female fans.
The clothing line produced by the Burnley retailer features 'bodysuits' in the team colours of Brazil and France, T-shirts with the slogans 'Single until the World Cup’s over' and 'Prosecco and goals', as well as an England branded crop-top.
But the outfits have sparked controversy with some female fans branding the launch as sexist.
However, others say the clothes are not offensive, and that female football fans should have a choice to wear whatever they want.
Other items in the range include a T-shirt with two footballs on the chest alongside more traditional team strips.
This Fan Girl, a female football supporters’ group, which campaigns for better representation of female fans online, deemed the collection as ‘overly sexualised’.
Emma Townsley, the director of editorial and content editor of This Fan Girl, said: “We are striving for inclusivity, and work on desexualising female football clothing.
“What Boohoo has done isn’t terrible if this is what gets girls into football, but it doesn’t represent female football fans or footballers.
“There’s too much focus on sexualisation and not enough on the game.
“This clothing is cropped, tight and slightly clichéd.
“Brands like Boohoo and other high street chains in our opinion need to be giving women a more realistic view on football.
“We'd love to see these big brands do something more representative.”
But former England goalkeeper, Rachel Brown-Finnis, from Burnley, said she had no problem with the clothing.
The BBC pundit said: “Football supporters come in all shapes and sizes and levels of body confidence.
“I don’t have any issues with the selection of England fan wear Boohoo are offering. It just provides a choice versus the official team wear.”
The Lancashire Telegraph took to the streets of Blackburn to ask shoppers what they thought of the new range.
Leona Haworth, 17, from Accrington, said: “I like the designs, although I guess the slogans are kind of stereotypical, and they’ve made it girly, but I think a lot of girls wouldn’t mind.”
Ellis Barry, 17, Blackburn, said: “I think it’s nice, and girls should be able to wear what they want, as for the slogans, I just think it’s funny.”
Boohoo was unavailable for comment.
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