Puma will end its sponsorship of the Israel national football team in a decision made a year ago and which was not connected to calls for consumer boycotts following Israel’s military action in Gaza, the Financial Times reports.

The Germany-based sportswear company decided not to extend its contract with the Israel Football Association, therefore as of next year, it will no longer be providing the team with kits, FT reports citing an internal note seen by the newspaper.

Puma made the decision to stop supporting Israel’s national football squad because of financial reasons and was in line with a broader strategy plan known as “fewer-bigger-better” which aims to promote greater selectivity in sports marketing, the newspaper cited people familiar with internal discussions as saying.

Puma — which is also set to conclude its sponsorship of Serbia’s national team next year — intends to keep reviewing all of its current relationships and future prospects. The intention is to keep a strong roster of national teams, the newspaper reported citing the internal note.

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