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FIFA forces Haiti to change World Cup kit design over war scene illustration
🇯🇲 Jamaica /Sports

FIFA forces Haiti to change World Cup kit design over war scene illustration

From Jamaica Observer · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • FIFA has forced Haiti to change its World Cup kit design three days before its opening match due to an illustration of a war scene violating rules against political messages.
  • The design, a tribute to the 1803 Battle of Vertieres that secured Haiti's independence, was deemed non-compliant by FIFA, though the manufacturer stated it was not intended as a political statement.
  • Haiti will begin its first World Cup campaign in 52 years against Scotland on Saturday.

Haiti's national football team must alter its World Cup kit design just days before its inaugural match against Scotland due to FIFA's regulations. The illustration on the shirt, which depicted a war scene commemorating the 1803 Battle of Vertieres that secured Haiti's independence, was flagged for violating FIFA's rules against political, religious, or personal messages.

Colombian manufacturer Saeta, responsible for the kit, issued a statement clarifying that the original design was intended as a tribute to Haiti's future and not as a political statement. However, FIFA interpreted certain visual elements differently under its equipment regulations and requested modifications. Saeta stated it respected the process and implemented the required changes.

FIFA determined that certain visual elements could be interpreted differently under its equipment regulations and ultimately requested modifications to the design.

— SaetaThe kit manufacturer explaining FIFA's decision.

Haiti is set to make its first World Cup appearance in 52 years. The team will face Scotland on Saturday evening at Boston Stadium in Foxborough. The kit controversy adds a layer of pre-tournament tension for the squad as they prepare for this historic event.

While this interpretation differed from our intention, Saeta respected the process and implemented the final requirements communicated by FIFA.

— SaetaThe kit manufacturer acknowledging FIFA's final decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jamaica Observer in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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