Gloves off as Lehmann handed German ultimatum

ARSENAL keeper Jens Lehmann has been told he will have to change his gloves if he wants to beat current German international goalkeeper Oliver Kahn to first choice between the posts.

Lehmann’s position in the international team has come under threat after he was spotted wearing his own personal Nike-sponsored gloves, which have helped the Gunners stay at the top of the Premiership, in Germany’s game against Iran last weekend.

The German Football Association (DFB) received an angry response after the match from sportswear giant adidas - which sponsors the German team.

DFB spokesman, Harald Stenger, admitted that Lehmann’s future in the German squad was now dependent on whether he would leave his Nike gloves in London and use an adidas pair instead.

“Jens Lehmann wore his personal gloves in Teheran. He was told in writing by the general secretary and orally by Oliver Bierhoff that in future he must wear gloves by adidas if he wants to remain in competition with Oliver Kahn as German goalkeeper,” said Stenger.

adidas reportedly pay €8 million a year to the DFB for the sponsorship deal.

Germany’s best selling Bild newspaper has however reported that Lehmann asked national trainer Juergen Klinsmann “if I can bring my gloves that have helped me remain undefeated at Arsenal.”

The newspaper alleges that in the chaos before the game Klinsmann said he was not bothered which gloves the goalkeeper wore.

And the Nike gloves appeared to do the trick for Germany after they beat Iran at home 2-0.