Hot on the heels of David Beckham’s debut for LA Galaxy, fresh controversy has been thrown onto the pitch, this time regarding Beckham’s soccer boots.

David Beckham’s football boot, the Adidas Predator Absolute Globe is made with a K Leather upper - a Kangaroo skin. Football boots made from Kangaroo leather are common for the top end, professional football boots.

Banned
In California, where David Beckham is now plying his trade, California’s highest court has prevented Adidas from selling football boots made from Kangaroo Leather.

The 31 page judgement issued this week, could seriously impact the sales of this football boot to local fans.

Adidas are fighting the judgement, claiming that the Californian law conflicted with the purpose of the US Endangered Species Act, which supported Australia’s efforts to control kangaroos, as there is an ever increasing number of Kangaroo’s ’springing’ up in Australia.

Adidas have also put on record that they do not make any football boots using the endangered or threatened kangaroo species; the eastern grey, the red, and the western grey.

It is unlikely that the ban will be in force for long however. Legislation allowing kangaroo derived products passed the state Senate earlier this year. It’s expected to go through the Assembly and land on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk as early as September.

Beckham’s Boots

David Beckham does not wear the Adidas Predator Absolute Globe made from Kangaroo Leather, he has opted for a synthetic version.

Back in 2006, British animal welfare group Viva! showed Beckham a film of kangaroos being harmed and allegedly used to provide the material for football boots. David Beckham switched from the Kangaroo Leather, opting for a synthetic version.

The Adidas Predator Absolute Globe, formerly known as the Adidas Predator Absolute DB Swerve, (it’s name was switched following Beckham’s move to LA), was exclusively designed and developed with and for David Beckham. It features a uniquely created map graphic which symbolises the global impact that David Beckham has brought to the football world.

View the Adidas Predator Absolute Globe article.

Order your own pair of Adidas Predator Absolute DB Swerve