Haiti has been required to revise its World Cup jersey due to its political implications, just months after the country modified its Winter Olympic team uniforms.
The jersey, created by Colombian sportswear brand Saeta, initially featured an illustration of the final battle during the Haitian War of Independence in 1803 on the front. This design was not accepted during FIFA’s approval review.
In a statement on Wednesday, Saeta confirmed that it would adhere to the prohibition, asserting that the design “was not meant to convey a political message,” but instead served as a “homage to those working tirelessly for Haiti’s future.”
The jersey’s design incorporated blue to represent the sea and red to symbolize the nation’s “might and passion,” according to the manufacturer. Players showcased the now-rejected jersey during a warmup match against Peru last week, and the original version is currently sold out on the SaetaUSA online store.
In a similar vein, the International Olympic Committee mandated the removal of an image of Haiti’s founding father, Toussaint Louverture, from the nation’s uniforms for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Games, citing violations of Olympic regulations against political symbolism.
Haiti, which gained independence in 1804, is recognized as the first independent nation established by formerly enslaved people after a successful slave revolt.
Stella Jean, an Italian-Haitian designer responsible for the Olympic uniforms, devised a creative workaround: painting over Louverture’s depiction, leaving only a horse set against the tropical foliage background. The designs gained popularity, prompting Jean to create a production version that included Louverture’s original image.
“Haiti must be setting some sort of record: two reprimands from the highest international sports governing bodies in just a few months,” Jean commented to The Associated Press on Thursday.
Haiti will kick off its World Cup journey on Saturday against Scotland in Foxborough, Massachusetts, followed by a match against five-time champion Brazil on June 19 in Philadelphia, and facing Morocco on June 24 in Atlanta.