Denmark’s kit supplier Hummel sent a powerful message about Qatar at the launch of the national team’s World Cup kits.
The final, which begins on Monday November 21, was not 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 plans.
In protest at Qatar being the host country, Hummel “dimmed” its logo and chevrons on its kits.
A statement read: “With the new Danish national team shirts, we wanted to send a double message.
“They are not only inspired by Euro 92, paying homage to Denmark’s greatest footballing success, but also a protest against Qatar and its human rights record.
“That’s why we’ve toned down every detail of Denmark’s new World Cup kits, including our signature logo and chevrons.
“We don’t want to be visible during a tournament that has cost the lives of thousands of people. We support the Danish national team until the end, but that’s not the same as supporting Qatar as the host country.
“We believe that sport should bring people together. And when it’s not, we want to make a statement. #HistoryIsWhatWeDoNow.
Along with Denmark’s red home kit and white away kit, a black third kit has also been released.
The statement continued: “Black. The color of mourning. The perfect color for Denmark’s third kit for this year’s World Cup.
“Although we support the Danish national team until the end, this should not be confused with supporting a tournament that has claimed thousands of lives.
“We want to make a statement about Qatar’s human rights record and its treatment of the migrant workers who built the World Cup stadiums in the country.”
Qatar insists only three workers have died on World Cup projects, but investigations have found there have been 2,800 unexplained deaths of migrant workers, the Times reports.
England skipper Harry Kane and the captains of six other European World Cup nations will wear a rainbow-coloured armband during the tournament to send a message against discrimination – homosexuality is illegal in Qatar.
It is understood that the Football Association will push FIFA and Qatar to set up a permanent center for migrant workers and pay compensation to the families of workers injured or killed during World Cup-related construction projects.