The Qatar World Cup rainbow incident continues to be a major concern, with a Belgian spokesman saying on Monday (21) that the international
soccer league
(FIFA) has banned teams from wearing 2nd away jerseys with affirmative action designs such as the word Love on the collar during matches, but for reasons related to the commercial promotion of music festivals.
Belgium's 2nd away shirt was newly designed in September this year, inspired by the fireworks display at Tomorrowland, a well-known local music festival, and represents diversity, equality and inclusion. A spokesman for Belgium revealed that the reason for FIFA's rejection was not because of the message of support for a minority group, but because the festival's logo had been put on the collar of the shirt with the word Love.
It was reported that FIFA would allow Belgium to wear the visitor's jersey as long as the word "Love" was covered, but a Belgian spokesman said Belgium would wear the red home jersey for the first three group stage matches. Belgium, in Group F, will face North and Central American side Canada in the early hours of Thursday (24th).
