FIFA PRESIDENT SEPP Blatter's recent faux pas, suggesting that women footballers should wear "tighter shorts" to spice up their game, has been met with criticism by Elaine Walker-Brown, chairperson of the Jamaica Football Federation's Women's Committee.

Walker-Brown, former president of the Jamaica Women's Football Association (JWFA) before that body merged with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) in 1999, echoed her overseas counterparts, saying it should be the women's "tactical and technical" ability which should attract support, not their "sex appeal".

Christian principles

"Based on my Christian principles, I wouldn't endorse it," Walker-Brown told STAR Sports yesterday, responding to Blatter's comment that women footballers should play in "different and more feminine garb than the men", adding, "in volleyball, women wear different clothes than men".

It wasn't clear whether the FIFA boss was referring to women indoor volleyballers, who wear body-hugging outfits or beach volleyballers, whose skimpy bikini-wear are favoured targets for sports photographers.

"If that's how we're going to market it, it's not proper," Walker-Brown added, referring to a FIFA spokesman's comment that Blatter's translated remarks were taken out of context, saying the FIFA head had talked about "the need for women's football to attract different sponsors, possibly from the fashion and cosmetics industries, rather than depend on sponsors from the men's game".

"We can find other ways to market the women football product. In my opinion, where the outfit is concerned, it doesn't make a difference," Walker-Brown said. "We need to develop the girls technically and tactically so when they go out on the field the quality football they play can attract sponsors and influence spectators to come out and watch the game.

Wrong concept

"We have the wrong concept. Are we saying we should expose the female body to attract men or use quality of play? Why are we to change? To get support and sponsors by exposing bodies in a certain way? I don't agree," she said.

Walker-Brown agreed that some female footballers appear almost masculine-like but pointed out it was the physical nature of the sport that honed the women's bodies.

"Nevertheless, they're still ladies on and off the field," she said.

Responding to the ever-present rumour of sexuality in women's sport, Walker-Brown said she is often accused of taking up for players but has no evidence to do otherwise.

"I can only say they are lesbians if I have proof," she declared. "I don't know of it. Probably the places other people go I don't. Until I have proof I can't endorse it. Most of the girls know what I stand for, discipline and no-nonsense so certain things don't come in my direction."

Sponsorship, Walker-Brown said, was boosted significantly last season when paint company Sherwin Williams trumped $1m for the Women's National League.

However, the Under-23 Olympic squad preparing for CONCACAF final round qualifying ahead of this year's Games in Athens, were set back at the weekend when a practice match against Haiti, scheduled for Fort Lauderdale, was called off due to the promoters' inability to secure the Lockhart Stadium.