I have a question...

[quentinc]

How come the french leagues don't have a standardized ball to use for all play? Marseille has the ball with all the stars on it, PSG uses the Nike one, and it seems like virtually every team has their own version.

This seems odd as most other European leagues seem to play with one standardized ball for all league play.

[Lensois]

How come the french leagues don't have a standardized ball to use for all play? Marseille has the ball with all the stars on it, PSG uses the Nike one, and it seems like virtually every team has their own version.

This seems odd as most other European leagues seem to play with one standardized ball for all league play.

If memory serves correctly only La Liga, the Premiership, and maybe the Scottich Premier have a standardized balls for league play. I don't remember there being a specific ball in Italy, Germany or The Netherlands. I've not seen any Portuguese league matches to know about them. I think it comes down to the league signing a deal with a company, not sure why those other leagues don't have one. I would suspect they're not deemed high profile enough, although I would think the Serie A contract would be attractive.

[gaijin]

Yeah, Ligue 1 doesn't have a deal to play with a certain matchball.

They will use whatever ball they like, normally the same one who invariably make their shirts.

I've seen some Portuguese matches last season and I think they used that Roteiro ball.

[guignol]

yes, L1 clubs all play with their shirt sponsor's ball if there is one. only airness (rennes) doesn't make balls or shoes, even lille plays with a décathlon (kipsta) ball. (décathlon is like big 5 on steroids).

it can make a difference. for example the lotto ball used at sochaux was "dead" and the players were unhappy with it.