FOOTBALL fans planning on going to the World Cup in South Africa are being offered stab vests in their team's colours.
The vests are being sold online by London-registered firm Protektorvest.com and can display any flag of a fan's choosing.
The British Football Supporters Federation (BSSF) said the company is cashing in on fears of the country's crime rate, Sky News reports.
The BSSF said wearing a stab vest at what should be a carnival of soccer was in bad taste and "smacked of panic" over South Africa's notoriously high crime rate.
BSSF spokesman Malcolm Clarke said Thursday the federation worked closely with the authorities and the British Football Association to give fans security advice.
"Part of that advice will not include buying a stab vest. This will just panic people and introduce a degree of tension," he said.
Protektorvest. Owner Sascha Cutura said he was disappointed people thought they were trying to induce fear in fans going to South Africa.
"We are both football fans ourselves. We certainly don't want to offend South Africa but the risk is there," he added.
The company claims the $122 vests will protect fans from stabs, cuts, slashes and blows from sharp-edged or spiked weapons.
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