COMMERCIAL DISPUTE

Belgium to drop ‘love’ from away shirts in Qatar

They plan to wear their red home shirts for the group matches against Canada, Morocco and Croatia.

In Summary

• It is understood to be part of a commercial dispute. Belgium unveiled their away kit in September as part of a deal with Adidas and music festival Tomorrowland.

• The news comes after England, Wales and other European nations confirmed they will not wear OneLove armbands at the World Cup because of the threat of players getting yellow cards.

Belgium's Arthur Theate (L) in action with Egypt's Mohamed Salah during an international friendly football match
Belgium's Arthur Theate (L) in action with Egypt's Mohamed Salah during an international friendly football match
Image: xinhua

Belgium will not wear their white away shirts with the word “love” on the collar in the group stage of the World Cup in Qatar following a discussion with Fifa.

It is understood to be part of a commercial dispute. Belgium unveiled their away kit in September as part of a deal with Adidas and music festival Tomorrowland.

They plan to wear their red home shirts for the group matches against Canada, Morocco and Croatia.

In a statement when the kit was launched, Adidas said: “With the kit, the Belgian Red Devils and partners involved intend to make a positive, fun statement of LOVE in times of turmoil.”

Belgium first wore the away kit in the Uefa Nations League defeat by the Netherlands in September.

The news comes after England, Wales and other European nations confirmed they will not wear OneLove armbands at the World Cup because of the threat of players getting yellow cards.

The captains, including England’s Harry Kane and Gareth Bale of Wales, had planned to wear the armband during matches to promote diversity and inclusion.

Fifa has brought forward its own campaign, which had been due to start from the quarter-finals, with captains now permitted to wear a “No Discrimination” armband for the duration of the tournament.

Football’s world governing body’s regulations ban the “display of commercial messages and slogans” at Fifa-organised events, giving exclusivity to its own commercial partners.

It similarly prohibits “political, religious or personal messages or slogans” on player kits or equipment.