IF SEPP Blatter wants to see sexy football in the women’s game, perhaps he should get down to Fratton Park on February 19. There he will witness, playing against Denmark, an England team proud to look fit — in both senses of the word — and feminine as they continue to promote the game to the next generation.

The Fifa president gave an interview to SonntagsBlick, a Swiss tabloid newspaper, after which some juicy quotes, liberally translated from the German, had him suggesting that women should try wearing tight-fitting shorts as worn by volleyball players if they wanted to attract more publicity for the sport.

While yesterday’s initial response at Blatter’s alleged comments was of united moral indignation, the FA nonchalantly unwrapped the brochure intended for release next week to reveal four attractive young England players modelling football fashion wear. Umbro released a new women’s kit last year that has accounted for one in every 20 England shirts sold. “The style and the fit of the shirt were designed specifically for the female shape,” an Umbro spokesperson said, “and it does bridge the gap between functionality and fashion.”

Faye White, the England captain, added: “It is a huge improvement on the old men’s oversized kits which we have worn in the past.”

Bev Ward, the FA’s marketing and communications manager for women’s football, was rather peeved to hear of Fifa’s purported stance. “It was surprising to hear Blatter’s thoughts on how the women’s game should be promoted in order to build its profile,” she said. “Football is a serious sport for women with 30 million players worldwide and in the last two years becoming the top female participation sport in England.

“There is a growing audience for the women’s game — two million watched the Women’s FA Cup Final live on BBC One last year — and they are attracted by the quality of a different style of football. If women took to pitches across the country in hotpants this weekend, it wouldn’t attract the serious sports fan, young female footballers or a family audience.”

The women’s European Championship will be staged in England in June 2005 when, with a suitable broadcasting platform, the likes of White, Katie Chapman, Rachel Brown and Eniola Aluko can take the game to a wider audience. “We realise that image is important, but players wearing hotpants is totally impractical and demeaning,” Ward added.

“The FA is launching a new campaign to gain more publicity for women’s football through the promotion of four England players — without having to resort to skimpy clothes — who are immensely talented and good role models for young girls.”

White, who is also the Arsenal captain, said: “I feel that Sepp Blatter’s comments are both undermining and harmful. Of course, as a player, I want to increase the popularity and appeal of my sport, but this should be done on ability and skill rather then appearances or lifestyles. To make a comparison with the kit that volleyball players wear is ridiculous. Firstly, volleyball is predominantly a summer sport. And second, the kit that all sportspeople wear is surely about providing comfort.”

Lise Klaveness, the Norway player, said: “If the crowd only wants to come and watch models then they should go and buy a copy of Playboy.”

Explore Football

• Premier League

• Football League

• Scotland

• European Football

• International Football

• TheGame

• Live Match Tracker

• The Fink Tank

• Fantasy Football