FIFA is once again telling teams what they can and cannot do with their kits at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This time, it’s something fans would not be able to see on the pitch or TV.
The Belgium white away kits, seen below, have the word “Love” inside the back collar. This feature is unrelated to the previously banned “One Love” captain’s armbands. According to Belgium kit sponsor Adidas, the kit design was “intend[ed] to make a positive fun statement of LOVE in times of turmoil.”
FIFA have demanded that the Belgium team remove the word "love" from the collar of their away shirt, sources have told ESPN.
More: https://t.co/I1rMfeZQmS pic.twitter.com/cvBGFRjbSs
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 21, 2022
The O in Love is the logo of Tomorrowland, a large electronic music festival in Belgium, that collaborated on the kit design. There are other design elements on the kit that evoke Tomorrowland and the idea of love, including a fireworks graphic print that gives the kit a subtle texture. Soccer supporters and pundits were quick to share their opinions on FIFA’s latest uniform gavel slam.
This is … something.
We highlighted this Belgium away shirt in our story on World Cup kits — a "positive, fun statement of love in times of turmoil" inspired by music and fireworks, Adidas told me. If you'd like to read more about it: https://t.co/CZAAJuceAL https://t.co/ZDIbLECVd2
— Ella Brockway (@ellabrockway) November 21, 2022
The global tournament that is scared of armbands, rainbows, beer, hats and apparently the word "love", but says it's not about politics. https://t.co/L6ocX1RL4P
— Adam Parsons (@adamparsons) November 21, 2022
FIFA threatened to hand out yellow cards to any captains wearing the One Love armband as a final push to ban those. In this case, it doesn’t appear they gave Belgium a chance to discuss it. Per Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports, the Belgium FA decided the team will wear their home red kit throughout the group stage.
A few folks on Twitter joked about what FIFA would do next.
If only this guy was still active and part of the Brazilian national team… Curious what the FIFA would have done about that one? pic.twitter.com/HfDhj6DJje
— Ayolt de Roos (@Scorebordjourn) November 21, 2022
Keepers no longer allowed to call them Gloves, have to call them Gs. https://t.co/gO00XiOFWT
— Danny Wallace (@dannywallace) November 21, 2022
