BERLIN, Dec 12 Reuters Puma will end its sponsorship of Israel39;s national football team next year, in a decision made before Hamas39; Oct. 7 attack, a spokesperson for the German sportswear firm said on Tuesday.

While two newly signed national teams including a new statement team will be announced later this year and in 2024, the contracts of some federations such as Serbia and Israel will expire in 2024, said the spokesperson in an emailed statement.

The decision was taken in 2022 as part of Puma39;s new fewerbiggerbetter strategy and was in line with the regular timelines for designing and developing team jerseys, added the spokesperson.

The Financial Times first reported the decision.

The Palestinianled Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions BDS movement had called for a boycott of the sportswear firm before the Oct. 7 attack over its sponsorship of the Israeli team.

However, boycott calls have grown stronger and expanded to more firms and products following Israel39;s military offensive in the Gaza Strip since the deadly Hamas attack in southern Israel.

Reporting by Anirudh Saligrama in Bengaluru and Miranda Murray in Berlin; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Michael Perry

Source Reuters