It would be the end of a marriage that began with 1954's Miracle of Bern. The relationship between the German Soccer Federation and sports firm Adidas is now in danger due to a flirtatious approach by US giant Nike. Jürgen Klinsmann, World Cup mascot Goleo, the national soccer team ... Is there anything the Americans are not prepared to take off Germany's hands?

While former German team coach Klinsi remains cagey about his courtship with the US Soccer Federation and the Strategic Value Partners investment group gets ready to save bankrupt German toymaker Nici, global sportswear giant Nike is lining up another audacious swoop.

As top sportswear brands prepare to showcase their wares at this year’s FIFA World Cup in Germany, behind the scenes many sportswear workers in Asia who attempt to unionize are facing intimidation or dismissal, according to a report released today by Oxfam International.

Oxfam’s report, "Offside! Labor Rights and Sportswear Production in Asia," found that workers making clothes, shoes and other goods for global sports brands have been dismissed or threatened with violence when they have organized unions to lobby for better pay and conditions. The majority of Asian sportswear workers are women from poor communities, many supporting children and families. Oxfam says that none of the big sports brands are doing enough to solve the problem.

"In 2004 the Play Fair Alliance – including Oxfam, the Clean Clothes Campaign and Global Unions – challenged the industry to improve labor conditions, but sadly little has changed. Workers' right to form unions is crucial to achieving the big improvements needed on the factory floor but many brands are still not willing to play ball," says Kelly Dent, Oxfam International spokesperson and the report's co-author.

For the first time in the company history, a PUMA sponsored national team has won World Cup Final: The SQUADRA AZZURRI from Italy.

Italy, whose honors included three FIFA World Cup titles (1934, 1938 & 1982), a UEFA European Championship title (1968) and one Olympic Gold medal (1936) now earned their 4th star wearing Puma. 

The contract between PUMA and the Italian Football Federation has been signed in 2003 and was renewed in November 2005 beyond the Football World Cup in 2014.

„Italy´s victory is the glorious final of an incredibly successful World Cup for us", says Jochen Zeitz, PUMA CEO. „We assume, that the football performance turnover rose by approximately 40% compared to 2005", he comments.

Football shirt suppliers have been found guilty of ripping off millions of customers by fixing the prices of replica kits, the Evening Standard can reveal.

The Football Association, shirt manufacturers Umbro and a string of high street sports shop chains are facing a total of £100 million in fines.

The verdict comes after a two-year investigation by the Office of Fair Trading. The OFT's damning report has concluded that shirt makers and suppliers broke competition law by selling England and Manchester United tops for upwards of £39.99 when they cost just £7 to make.