Nike Defends Boots In Rooney Injury Row

Nike has defended the protective qualities of its Total 90 Laser football boots
after the product was heavily criticised in the wake of the foot injury
sustained by Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney over the weekend.

Rooney’s hairline fracture injury, which will rule the England striker out
for up to three months, has prompted claims from some corners that the Nike
boots do not provide adequate protection to players during games.

An array of former professionals and medical experts were quoted in the media
arguing that the ‘flimsy nature’ of modern boots were making players more
susceptible to foot breaks.

In a statement, Nike reacted strongly to the claims, commenting: ‘Wayne’s
injury was an impact injury which was sustained after a challenge from a
defender. He has simply been unlucky. There’s no evidence to link the boot with
the injury, and both Nike and Wayne are positive about that.’

Rooney’s latest injury is the third time the player has sustained significant
damage to his feet whilst wearing the Nike boots since 2004.

Professor Chris Moran, who oversaw Rooney’s last foot injury at the 2006
World Cup in Germany, said: ‘There’s no question that we’re seeing more
metatarsal injuries and that could be because boots are more flimsy. It can’t be
because players are tackling harder when the likes of Billy Bremner or Norman
Hunter did when they were playing.’

Rooney is one of many top-flight footballers wearing Total 90 Laser boots,
with 39 other Premier League players using the product at the weekend.