Denmark forbidden by FIFA from wearing ‘Human Rights For All’ training kit during World Cup in Qatar as nation have application denied for bearing ‘political statement’

Denmark have been told players will not be allowed to wear their pro-human rights training kit during the World Cup.

FIFA has denied the nation’s application to don shirts that replace sponsors with the message: ‘Human rights for all’.

Denmark have already made a statement with their home, away and third match kits for the tournament.

Designed by Danish sportswear giants Hummel, the kits feature a toned down crest and logos, and an all-black kit to signify the ‘colour of morning’ – intended to send a message about Qatar’s poor human rights record.

They had another protest planned with their training kits, with their sponsors agreeing to have their logos replaced with critical messages about Qatar.

But have since been told by FIFA they will not be permitted to wear them. 

Denmark could be fined or even deducted points if they disobey FIFA’s order and wear the shirts anyway.

FIFA prohibits all political messages during matches and tournaments, with president Gianni Infantino and his general secretary Fatma Samoura recently sending a letter to all participating nations at Qatar 2022 to ‘focus on football’.

It is reported the letter also made it clear that FIFA is not a political organisation and are not in a position to moralise and judge.

Jakob Jensen, the managing director of the DBU, told Danish agency Ritzau: “We have sent an application to FIFA, but the answer is negative, and we regret that, but we must take it into account.

“To me, this is a shirt with a simple message about universal human rights.”

Amnesty International also responded to the news, adding: “We do not understand that FIFA rejects this fine and important initiative from DBU.

“FIFA says time and time again that they take human rights very seriously, and in 2017 the association adopted a human rights policy for the first time, in which they undertake to respect human rights.

“We therefore believe that it is disappointing that they reject this basic human rights message.”

Qatar and FIFA have faced a backlash since the tournament was awarded to the Gulf state nation in 2010.

There has been intense criticism over Qatar’s human rights record, women’s rights and anti-LGBTQ laws. 

It has been reported thousands of migrant workers have died since Qatar won the right to stage the World Cup.

Homosexuality is illegal is Qatar and same-sex sexual activity punishable by up to seven years in prison.

Denmark will not be alone in making a statement against Qatar during the World Cup.

England captain Harry Kane and the skippers of seven other other European nations are set to wear rainbow colour armbands throughout the tournament which read, ‘OneLove’.

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