FIFA reject Denmark request for pro-human rights training shirts at 2022 World Cup in Qatar

ByJames Walker-Roberts

Published 10/11/2022 at 21:43 GMT

Denmark will be wearing a 'toned down' kit during matches at the World Cup, but they will not be permitted to wear training kit with the words 'Human Rights For All' on. FIFA, who have sent a message to all teams telling them to "focus on football", have turned down Denmark's request. The World Cup starts on November 20 as hosts Qatar play Ecuador in the opening game.

FIFA have rejected a request from Denmark to wear pro-human rights training shirts at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

The Danish football federation (DBU) had asked if players could wear shirts with the words "Human Rights for All" on.

But FIFA's regulations prohibit all political messages on kit.

World Cup

Southgate sad Rubiales controversy has overshadowed Spain World Cup win

00:00:46

|

31/08/2023 at 15:47

"For me, this is a jersey with a very simple message about universal human rights," DBU director Jakob Jensen told Danish agency Ritzau.

“It is FIFA’s right as organiser of this tournament to say that we can't do it. FIFA of course does this to prevent all sorts of weird stuff. We don't think it was that strange.

"We don't think there's any politics in it. We think that the human rights are universal, and we stand by this view.

"FIFA had a different assessment and sadly we had to take that into consideration."

Denmark are wearing 'toned down' shirts during matches in protest at Qatar staging the World Cup.

The human rights record of Qatar has been firmly under the spotlight, in particular women's and LGBTQ+ rights.

• Blatter: It was a mistake giving Qatar the World Cup
• Maddison, Wilson named in England squad

There has also been concern about the treatment of migrant workers, with several thousand having allegedly died since Qatar was awarded the World Cup in 2010.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said giving Qatar the tournament was a “mistake”.

FIFA has sent a message urging teams to “focus on football” and not let the sport “be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists”.

But England manager Gareth Southgate has said it is "optimistic" to expect nations to concentrate only on football.

"We have always spoken when we have felt it is appropriate,” he told the BBC after naming his 26-man England squad.

"I don't see that changing.

Klopp slams Qatar World Cup 'process'

“We would also like to concentrate on the football, frankly, because to go to a World Cup is an unbelievable honour and a privilege.

"And for the players it is a massive moment. You don't want it tarnished by having to think about off-the-field things.

"But we recognise those things are there and we should discuss them when asked.

"Of course we have also got to focus on the football and trying to make it a success for our country."

World Cup

World Cup 2026 to have four-team groups and 24 more games than previous editions

14/03/2023 at 17:33

World Cup

FIFA set to retain four-team groups for 2026 World Cup – report

02/03/2023 at 20:16

World Cup

Southgate reveals criticism made him question position as England manager

26/01/2023 at 21:57