An inquiry by this paper into the Indonesian factory producing the +F50.6 Tunit football boots has found that workers are being paid just 2 a day. Workers also claimed they are regularly exposed to verbal and physical abuse by their supervisors.

The boots, which retail for 180- 400, are promoted by Irish soccer star Damien Duff, as well as David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane. Label codes on the boots sold in Irish sports shops confirm that they were made in the specific factory investigated by the Sunday Tribune.

Ireland's biggest sports retailers have expressed shock and surprise at the conditions in the factory. "If Elvery's knew that this product was being manufactured under those conditions, we wouldn't be buying it, " said Diarmuid Byrne, buyer for the store. "This is completely news to me. The conditions being described are obviously not satisfactory. We would certainly reconsider purchasing products that are manufactured under those working conditions."

An Adidas representative said that while conditions at the factory used to be substandard, the situation had greatly improved. "The management will fully acknowledge that there has been shouting in the past, though we do not agree that there has been physical violence, " said William Anderson, Head of Social and Environmental Affairs for the company. "But I wouldn't say it's endemic, or more prevalent in this factory than we've seen in others."

The buying director for Champion Sports, Jim Colfer, said that they would be looking for assurances from Adidas. "If it can be proved beyond reasonable doubt that the conditions are not up to standard, we will stop ordering from that factory, " he said. "I am very surprised to hear this, because we have been assured by Adidas that their boots are made in factories where conditions for workers are exemplary."

A Lifestyle Sports spokeswoman also said the store would reconsider selling the boots. "This is certainly not information that would have been shared with us, " said Fiona Boyle, marketing manager for the chain. "Wherever there have been any issues like this in the past, we have been the first to recall products. We are a respectable company and we don't want to be seen to condone this, if it is true. We will be looking for evidence and assurance from Adidas that this is not the case. Obviously, if we find that it is the case, we will seriously review our position."

The Sunday Tribune was unable to contact Damien Duff for comment through his agent or Newcastle United.