Manufacturer clarifies equipment characteristics and commit to dialogue with clubs after complaints of players
Penalty issued a note on Thursday (13.fev.2025) in response to the official ball of the Paulista Championship. The statement was made after Santos and Corinthians players criticize the equipment during a match in Itaquera, São Paulo.
Santos striker Neymar criticized the quality of the material after the classic. “With all due respect to Penalty, who is the sponsor, the ball needs to improve. The other day Philip Louis spoke and I agree with him. This ball is very bad ”
The manufacturer stated that the ball follows FIFA guidelines to 2025. According to Penalty, the equipment was developed to provide higher speed and dynamism to matches, resulting in an increase of 19% on average goals in 2025, compared to 2024 .
The company admitted that the new ball behavior can influence the performance of athletes, especially in irregular lawns. The goalkeeper Hugo Souza, from Corinthians, criticized the equipment: “The ball is horrible. Sorry for the expression, but it’s horrible. ”
Defender André Ramalho said: “It really is a different ball. I realized that in air duels she has unexpected behavior. Out of nowhere, it looks like she fell. It is up to us to adapt, but I think it can improve. ”
Penalty has pledged to establish dialogue with clubs and players to seek improvements in the equipment.
This is the full note
“Penalty, in partnership with the Paulista Football Federation, is publicly manifested in the face of the criticism issued in relation to the official ball of Paulistão Sicredi 2025 on Wednesday (12):
Penalty and FPF reaffirm their commitment to quality, innovation and development of football, always listening carefully to the athletes’ feedback, coaches and staff of clubs to improve their products and ensure the highest level of performance.
The Penalty Ecoknit S11, model of Paulistão Sicredi 2025, is certified by FIFA (FIFA QUALITY PRO ” – FIFA QUALITY PROGRAM FOR FOOTBALLS – Certificate No. 1007545) and qualified for world and intercontinental championships.
Following FIFA’s guidance, the 2025 ball has evolved and is faster and more dynamic. So much so that this year the matches have an average of goals, with a growth of 19% by 2025 (2.4 goals per match) vs 2024 (2.02 goals per match), resulting in an even more attractive competition for the public.
Penalty acknowledges that this change can have an impact on players adaptation, especially in more irregular fields.
Penalty reports that it will contact all clubs involved in Paulistão Sicredi to listen to football protagonists – athletes and coaches – and understand all points of criticism and suggestions for a constant evolution of technology and, especially, the result in the field of your balls.
Finally, we highlight that Penalty is constantly updated with FIFA and partner entities, contributing to the best result of the sport. ”
