Denmark’s kit supplier, Hummel, have sent a powerful message about Qatar upon the launch of the national team’s World Cup kits.
The finals, which begin on Monday November 21, haven’t been short of controversy amid allegations of corruption in the bidding process as well as allegations of migrant workers losing their lives in the construction of World Cup projects.
Instagram @hummelsports
In protest against Qatar being the host nation, Hummel have ‘toned down’ their logo and chevrons on their kits.
A statement read: “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. #HistoryIsWhatWeDoNow.”
instagram @hummelsports
As well as Denmark’s red home kit and their white away kit, a third black kit has also been launched.
The statement continued: “Black. The colour of mourning. The perfect colour for Denmark’s third shirt for this year’s World Cup.
“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.
“We wish to make a statement about Qatar’s human rights record and its treatment of the migrant workers that have built the country’s World Cup stadiums.”
Qatar insists that only three workers have died on World Cup projects but investigations have found that there have been 2,800 unexplained deaths of migrant workers, The Times reports.
instagram @hummelsports
England skipper Harry Kane, and the captains of six other European countries in the World Cup will wear a rainbow-coloured armband during the tournament to send a message against discrimination – homosexuality is illegal in Qatar.
It’s understood the Football Association will push FIFA and Qatar to set up a permanent centre for migration workers and for compensation to be paid to the families of workers injured or killed on World Cup-related construction projects.
