Footie fetish: ‘Sexual’ World Cup t-shirts upset Brazil

International sports brand Adidas announced the suspension of two of its World Cup t-shirts following a recent backlash from Brazil’s authorities who claimed the shirts promoted “sexual tourism.”

“Adidas always pays close attention to the opinion of its consumers and partners,” the company said in an official statement, the English daily news website the BBC reported Tuesday.

“Therefore, it is announcing that these products will not be sold anymore,” it added.

The t-shirts – a limited edition - were meant to be sold in the United States.

One shirt depicted a woman in a bikini, along with the phrase “Lookin’ To Score” across the chest of the shirt, while, the other shirt had an “I Love Brazil” heart, which is designed to look like an upside down thong bikini.

On Tuesday, Brazil’s tourism ministry criticized the tee shirts saying “any links between national icons and images with sex appeal” were against the country's official marketing policies.

“Such an attitude indirectly contributes to committing crimes such as sexual child and adolescent exploitation,” the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Brazil's board of tourism, Embratur, said that “Brazil does not tolerate this type of crime on its territory.”

The board of tourism is strongly against any products that link Brazil's image to sex appeal, it added.

Adidas is one of the main sponsors for the 2014 World Cup, which kicks off in Brazil on June 12th. The company designs anything from jerseys to the actual ball that will be played with for the entire tournament.