Earlier today, we brought you the almost humorously stupid decision by Reebok to take a scissors to the border and leave Northern Ireland out of their UFC Ireland Map t-shirt. While we don't like to be overly critical, sometimes you just have to say damn, that was one hell of a fuck up.
Reebok's MMA division may be saying exactly that now given that Irish MMA fans have really let them know what they think of their design. It's just a bizarre decision to make. Someone had to weigh things up and decide 'No, it'll be better if we cut that out. No one will notice'.
People have noticed.
I don't like to swear on social media but what the FUCK are Reebok doing. "Show your UFC territorial allegiance" pic.twitter.com/mfiEk1bGrH
— Andrew McGahon (@andrewmcgahon_) October 21, 2015
Everybody can have their own beliefs regarding Ireland as a nation. But a company like Reebok should never release a shirt like that. Idiots
— Andrew McGahon (@andrewmcgahon_) October 21, 2015
Seriously, as @BrendanSchaub himself said "Do Reebok hate money?' - That 'Ireland map' tee is a disgrace
— Steven (@stvno92) October 21, 2015
Between Reebok's pro-partitionist Irish map jersey and Dana's belief that Ireland is in the UK, the UFC is bafflingly ignorant of Ireland.
— The Naked Gambler (@NakedGambling) October 21, 2015
Brave/Stupid decision by @Reebok with their @ufc "Ireland" T-shirt https://t.co/3oBpFwMp2J pic.twitter.com/a5voo9hSna
— jonjon (@jonby2) October 21, 2015
The UFC Ireland t-shirt by Reebok. Sorry Northern Ireland, you don't make the cut. pic.twitter.com/E2XnNJtuM4 — Alan WHOATV (@powerhousemma) October 21, 2015
The response from Irish MMA fans on /r/mma was not exactly kinder on Reebok's efforts.
For all the understandable anger at the t-shirt, this was a fairly good summation of what may have happened.
@andrewmcgahon_ Reebok Designer manager:Will we include The north?hmmm,it always been a 'Grey area'.Designer-Gotch ya — Darren o Rourke (@darrenor) October 21, 2015
We're going to take a wild stab in the dark and suggest that these probably won't be on sale at the 3 Arena on Saturday night and if they are, Reebok should promote anyone who manages to sell even one of them.
