Denmark will wear a kit at the 2022 World Cup that hides the sponsor and national team badge, because they ‘don’t wish to be visible’ in the controversial Qatar tournament.
The announcement was made by kit sponsor Hummel, who had promised weeks ago that there would be a special message in their choice of jersey for the competition, to be played in November and December.
Although they are present on the red shirt, the sponsor’s logo and the badge representing the Danish Football Federation are also in red and therefore won’t be visible unless looking very closely.
“This shirt carries with it a message,” wrote Hummel.
“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.”
The decision to host the World Cup in Qatar has been a controversial one since the start for FIFA, with worries only growing as time went on.
Official figures on how many workers, many of them migrants, have died in building the stadiums are hard to come by.
Qatar also has very strict and restrictive laws on alcohol, gender, sexuality, human rights and the ability of locals to protest.
Some have praised Denmark’s stand, others called it a performative gesture that ultimately achieves very little.