World Cup 2022: Why Belgium’s second shirt was scrapped in the first place

Opposites like to float on chairs. Also, when we learned on Monday, November 21 that FIFA has dropped Belgium’s second shirt for the 2022 World Cup, it’s hard not to make the connection with another piece of news from Qatar Global. Hours earlier, seven European nations, including Belgium, which campaigned for their captains to wear the “One Love” armband symbolizing anti-discrimination during the tournament, announced they would abide by FIFA regulations.

Developed with the Red Devils crew, Adidas, to symbolize equality, inclusion and freedom, the outfit is directly inspired by Tomorrowland, one of the biggest electronic music events in the world, which brings together hundreds of thousands of spectators from all over Antwerp every year. the world. To the point of taking his logo with the word “Love” written in the collar of the shirt. And wear rainbow tones. The emblem of LGBT+ communities officially welcomes Qatar, where homosexuality remains illegal, in time for the World Cup.

This registration was canceled. But not because of the progressive message in it or the colors of the shirt. If FIFA has ordered the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) to cover up the word “love” on the shirts, it is because it features commercial lettering and branding, “Any kind of advertising or other commercial message” Not allowed in international football tournaments according to FIFA regulations.

What’s wrong with the @BelRedDevils second shirt at the #FIFAWorldCup ? That little logo on the back (and… https://t.co/2I1iLhxbM4

— martelclem (@Clement Martel)

“It has nothing to do with the ‘one love’ bracelet”

According to the information the world, the redesign of this dress does not date from this start of the Mondial. This happened in August, during the classic process of validation of shirts by the international organization. FIFA urged the Belgians to abide by the slogan’s advertising – which Adidas suggested during the presentation of the shirt – about the inappropriateness of the commercial event. Which the Red Devils did.

“It’s unfortunate, but FIFA doesn’t give us a choice. The rest of the technique remains unchanged.” RBFA CEO Peter Bossaert said on Monday Het Laatste Nieuws. The interview, in which the leader also answers questions about the “One Love” bracelet, which has led to the association of the two subjects around the world.

“This has nothing to do with the ‘One Love’ bracelet, it’s for commercial reasons. Confirms RBFA the world. We’ve got that covered and in theory we could play with this shirt. » Finally, the Red Devils chose to play in the red colors of their first shirt for the three group stage matches. If by any chance they make it to the round of 16, Eden Hazard’s teammates could very well enter the field dressed in rainbows.