Outrage Over Lack of Personalization on Wales Women's Euro 2025 Away Shirt

Football fans express frustration as they are unable to personalize the new Wales women's away shirt for Euro 2025, highlighting ongoing biases in the sport.

Football fans have voiced their anger at being unable to have their names and numbers on the new Wales women away shirt. Haley Evans, from Cardiff, said it "screams of the bias that often crops up in the women's game" that fans could not personalize the mint green Adidas shirt, which was released specifically for Euro 2025 in Switzerland.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) unveiled the shirt after the team qualified for the first major tournament in their history. JD Sports said it was waiting for a delivery of the new print color and would be able to offer the service to customers soon, adding that it offered personalization on the women's home shirt.

Fans can personalize the home shirt - which is shared by the men's team - but, while the men's away kit can have any name and number on it, this option is not available on the women's version, which is priced at £75. A member of the Wales squad, who wished to remain anonymous, told Telegraph Sport: "It's extremely disappointing that, as we prepare for the Euros, as we make history, we still can't get access to names on the back of our shirts."

Ms. Evans, 44, said: "I understand it's only to do with away shirts, but it's our first ever major tournament and it shouldn't be an issue and should be doable." She added, "I was at the first game in 2019 where the women played against Italy in their shirts [with their names on their back] for the first time. The players had been fighting for that for a long time."

Ian Johnson from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, said the oversight was "the sort of sloppy mistake that major companies shouldn't still be making." He added, "Walking down any high street, you can see footballers' names on the back of the shirts being worn, so why would they not be set up in advance to do this for the Wales national team?"

Emma Walters, from Swansea, said it was "sexist", as it would not happen with the men's team. "I tell my daughter she is no different, so why can't we have the same opportunities? What is the reason? What is the reason behind it?"

The FAW said it was "in regular dialogue with Adidas and JD to find a resolution" ahead of the Euros, which kick off on 2 July. Rhian Wilkinson's side start their campaign on 5 July against the Netherlands before facing France four days later and England on 13 July.

Kit maker Adidas added: "We are always exploring ways to expand our options and better meet the needs of fans who want to show support for their teams." It is not the first time a national women's team has been dragged into a kit row around a major tournament. Mary Earps, the former England goalkeeper, criticized Nike for not making replica versions of her goalkeeper shirt. Nike later said "limited quantities" would go on sale, which promptly sold out in a matter of minutes.

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