A ruling from the Supreme Court of California has banned the use of kangaroo skin for football boots and other types of athletic footwear in the state. The case was brought against adidas, Sport Chalet and Offside Soccer by UK-based animal-rights group Viva! (Vegetarians International Voice for Animals), who feel the kangaroo needs to be protected.

Adidas currently sells ten styles featuring kangaroo hide, although less than 1% of its total footwear range contains the skin. A legal representative for the company said that it would continue to sell the shoes—such as the Copa Mundial and Predator styles—in the state until other issues in the case are resolved and that the case could eventually be referred to the US supreme court.

Viva’s campaign director Lauren Ornelas said: "Using wildlife for shoes is not acceptable." However, adidas argues that none of its footwear is made from threatened or endangered kangaroos and that it does not condone the inhumane treatment of animals. Another line of defence is that kangaroos are extremely common in Australia and that numbers are increasing.