Qatar's furious response to Denmark protest in World Cup jerseys
Qatar has hit back at Denmark's major World Cup statement after the nation opted for plain jerseys to send a message to the host nation about their human rights record.
Denmark released simple jerseys with block colours of red and white to signify their home and away kit during the World Cup in Qatar.
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The Danish Football symbol and the sportswear brand's logo are barely visible in a statement piece.
And the third kit is black to represent the colour of mourning to pay tribute to the huge numbers of workers that have reportedly died over the years building the stadiums for the tournament.
Kit manufacturer Hummel hit out at the tournament in a post on Instagram releasing the black third-choice design.
“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,” the company said.
Last year, the Danish Football Federation claimed their jersey would showcase “critical messages” on their training clothes at the tournament in Qatar.
But the symbolic third jersey has already helped raise awareness.
Hummel said they have thrown their support behind Denmark, but didn't want to create flashy jersey to be taking centre stage at the World Cup.
Denmark’s kit supplier Hummel “don’t wish to be visible” during the World Cup in Qatar.
In a statement, the company noted the decision was made as “a protest against Qatar and its human rights record.” pic.twitter.com/iONBPGo3OH— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 28, 2022
"We don’t wish to be visible during (the) tournament,” Hummel's said.
“We support the Danish national team all the way, but that isn’t the same as supporting Qatar as a host nation.”
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Qatar's World Cup organisers took a swipe at Hummel's over the jersey and claimed the company was 'trivialising' its work in the gulf nation.
“We dispute Hummel’s claim that this tournament has cost thousands of people their lives," Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy wrote.
"Furthermore, we wholeheartedly reject the trivialising (of) our genuine commitment to protect the health and safety of the 30,000 workers who built FIFA World Cup stadiums and other tournament projects.”
Qatari organisers urged the Danish federation “to accurately convey the outcome of their extensive communication and work with the (Supreme Committee) and to ensure that this is accurately communicated to their partners at Hummel.”
A Guardian report in 2021 claimed more than 6,500 migrant workers had died in Qatar since the beginning of preparations fro the 2022 World Cup.
However, Qatar has consistently hit back at reports over the treatment of migrant workers in Qatar.
Denmark has been drawn in a World Cup group with defending champion France, Australia and Tunisia.
The FIFA match schedule for the tournament lists Denmark as the home team with first choice of colour only for its opening game on Nov. 22 against Tunisia.
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with AP
