Again the past perfect

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Rotter  #214312  Tue, 11 Apr 06 10:47 AM
Sportswear giant Adidas is facing complaints over a new trainer that some say features a racist cartoon image.

The offending footwear includes a yellow picture of an Asian youth with bowl-cut hair, pig nose and buck teeth.

Asian-American groups have complained that the picture on the shoe's tongue portrays an anti-Asian stereotype.

Adidas said it had intended no offence. The image was designed by US graffiti artist Barry McGee who has previously used it in an anti-racist commentary.

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Adidas said it had intended no offence.

Is it necessary to stick to the past perfect in the given context?

Adidas said it intended no offence.  [ Is this insufficient in the given context?]

I would like to hear your comments as I have some difficulties in judging the necessity of writing the past perfect tense.


  
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Mister Micawber  #214320  Tue, 11 Apr 06 11:12 AM

Past perfect is not required, of course-- but important content is lost without it:  Adidas wishes to make it clear that they had intended no offence from the very introduction of the product.  With simple past, Adidas could be interpreted as implying that they meant no offense merely from the time of issuance of the statement.

  
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