(Football news) The Denmark national team will feature a monochrome sponsorless kit for the Qatar World Cup with kit manufacturer Hummel toning down its logo and iconic chevrons to protest against the country’s human rights record. A statement released by the manufacturer said “we don't wish to be visible during a tournament that has cost thousands of people their lives". The team have also revealed an all black ‘colour of morning' kit in honour of the migrant workers who have passed away during construction work for the tournament.
According to FIFA rules, team kits cannot feature political statements but Denmark’s three shirts featuring red, black and white don’t feature any words or symbols that can be found in violation of the rule. The team’s national team badge, Hummel logo and decorative white chevrons that have featured on all Denmark kits since the 1980’s have been faded into the same colour of the tshirt. Moreover, the Danish Federation has also joined a European campaign for captains at the World Cup to wear heart-shaped, multi-coloured One Love armbands during the games.
A statement released by Hummel said “With the Danish national team's new jerseys, we wanted to send a dual message. They are not only inspired by Euro 92, paying tribute to Denmark's greatest football success, but also a protest against Qatar and its human rights record. That's why we've toned down all the details for Denmark's new World Cup jerseys, including our logo and iconic chevrons. We don't wish to be visible during a tournament that has cost thousands of people their lives. We support the Danish national team all the way, but that isn't the same as supporting Qatar as a host nation. We believe that sport should bring people together. And when it doesn't, we want to make a statement."
In response to the statement released by Hummel, a Supreme Committee statement said: "Since winning the right to host the FIFA World Cup, the SC has worked diligently alongside the Qatari government to ensure that the tournament delivers a lasting social legacy. Our commitment to this legacy has contributed to significant reforms to the labour system enacting laws protecting the rights of workers and ensuring improved living conditions for them. Through our collaboration with the UEFA Working Group and various other platforms led by FIFA and other independent groups, we have engaged in robust and transparent dialogue with the DBU. This dialogue resulted in a better understanding of the progress made, the challenges faced, and the legacy we will deliver beyond 2022.
"For that reason, we dispute Hummel's claim that this tournament has cost thousands of people their lives. Furthermore, we whole-heartedly reject trivialising our genuine commitment to protect the health and safety of the 30,000 workers who built FIFA World Cup™️ stadiums and other tournament projects. That same commitment now extends to 150,000 workers across various tournament services and 40,000 workers in the hospitality sector.
"The onus should always be on countries to do more to protect the rights of peoples all over the world, including in Denmark. The SC's work is recognised by numerous entities within the international human rights community as a model that has accelerated progress and improved lives. Qatar's reforms are acknowledged by the ILO and ITUC as a benchmark in the region. Like every country, progress on these issues is a journey without a finish line, and Qatar is committed to that journey. We urge the DBU to accurately convey the outcome of their extensive communication and work with the SC, and to ensure that this is accurately communicated to their partners at Hummel."
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