Women's skirts soccer ban

Sexy football it isn't...but the decision of FC de Rakt's ladies soccer team to play the game in skirts and tight tops has fired women's football into the headlines.

Since the amateur team from Uden in southern Holland changed their kit the club's website has racked up hundreds of thousands of hits every week.

21-year-old team captain Rinske Temming denied the new feminine strip was a publicity stunt.

(SOUDNBITE) (English), RINSKE TEMMING, TEAM CAPTAIN, SAYING:

"We think they are far more elegant than the traditional shorts and furthermore they are more comfortable because the shorts are made for men"

The amateur team's new clothing initially faced a ban due to strict equipment rules but upon closer inspection the Dutch football association said it was acceptable after all as the women were still playing in shorts, albeit with a skirt over them.

The club's chairman, Jan van den Elzen says 'moving the goalposts' on what's still perceived to be a male sport is long overdue.

(SOUNDBITE) (English), JAN VAN DEN ELZEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCCER CLUB "DE RAKT", SAYING:

"Many girls would like to play in skirts but they didn't think it was possible."

No doubt Fifa president Sepp Blatter would approve of FC de Rakt's new look.

The world soccer chief scored an own goal four years ago after famously urging women footballers to wear skimpier kits to boost the popularity of the women's game.

Helen Long, Reuters

rack up Informal

To accumulate or score: rack up points.

stunt 1. an acrobatic or dangerous piece of action in a film or television programme

2. anything spectacular or unusual done to gain publicity
albeit Even though; although; notwithstanding: clear albeit cold weather.

overdue late, tardy; payable, due; past due

skimpy adj. barely adequate, scanty, sparing, meager