Italians score fashion own goal

They are the ultimate ambassadors of chic - young, stylish, often goodlooking and very, very rich.

Now, for the first time, the Italian football team has turned its back on its wealth of native talent and chosen a British designer to create its off-pitch wardrobe for Euro 2004.

Italian fashion pundits have, rather bitterly, labelled the deal with Devonborn Neil Barrett the end of an era.

The 37-year-old pushed aside top names such as Giorgio Armani, who kits out the England team, and Pal Zileri to win the deal, said to be worth £200,000.

In another first, sportswear giant Puma also chose Barrett to draw up the team's strip for the tournament.

Miles Freeland, a spokesman for Barrett, said: 'It's fantastic news. It is a real coup for him. Everyone is delighted, none more so than Neil.

'Some of the Italians are a little bit upset and, if we can beat them in the final, it would be a double victory.'

Barrett trained at the Royal College of Art and spent five years with Gucci before moving to Prada. He now has his own label with branches in Milan, London and Tokyo.