The Danish football team is using its World Cup jerseys to protest against host nation, Qatar.
Kit makers Hummel have made it explicitly clear that while they are fully behind the Danish side’s efforts in representing their people, they do not wish to be “visible” during the finals while it is held in Qatar and say they do not support the hosts as a nation, citing their human rights record and failure to protect workers.
Hummel created an all-black, third jersey to honour migrant workers who died during construction work for the tournament.
“The colour of mourning,” Hummel said in a post on Instagram releasing the black third-choice design.
A statement from Hummel alongside images of the new replica kits reads: “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.”
“While we support the Danish national team all the way, this shouldn’t be confused with support for a tournament that has cost thousands of people their lives,” the company said.
Fifa has been criticized by Amnesty International for failing to protect workers and put in place “adequate processes” to prevent problems continually occurring in Qatar.
