Denmark Debuts Muted World Cup Kit To Quietly Protest Qatar’s Human Rights Pains
By Nicole Rodrigues, 30 Sep 2022
We are now on the cusp of the World Cup season, and with the championship looming overhead, soccer clubs around the world are releasing their jersey designs.
One team, in particular, is using its kit to voice its stand on the human rights issues in Qatar, which is hosting the games. The Danish Football Association (DFA) and sports brand Hummel have created a series of shirts that are more subdued than usual. As they say, the silence is deafening.
The toned-down shirts come in red for home matches, white for away games, and a black version, as well. All logos on the gear, including the Hummel chevrons and branding, are monochrome to reduce visibility. While other teams will proudly state their club’s name and sponsors’ names, Denmark has chosen to remain invisible at the games.
According to Dezeen, Hummel has said that despite its love for the sport, it doesn’t condone the human rights problems that have arisen in the country and wishes not to be seen during the matches held in Qatar.
Since Qatar won the bid to host this year’s game in 2010, The Guardian has reported that around 6,000 migrant workers have died during the construction of the stadiums.
However, FIFA said the number was incorrect, and only 37 had passed away.
Regardless, Denmark is choosing to honor those who have died with its black jersey, which it will wear during one of its games.
According to ESPN, the Qatari government responded by saying that the protest trivializes its efforts to ensure a safe environment for its workers.
Denmark eventually joined a convoy of other countries who have engaged in talks with the government to oversee how the rights of the people are being handled.