FIFA calls for changes to Haiti's World Cup shirt due to political message

Fifa requests changes to Haiti's shirt
Reproduction/Instagram
Following a request from FIFA, the Haiti team's shirt will have to be changed for the World Cup, according to a statement released this Wednesday (10) by the company responsible for the uniform, Saeta. The manufacturer informed that the entity determined changes in the design because it understood that some visual elements could be interpreted as a political message.
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In the original design of the shirt, there was an illustration of the Battle of Vertières, fought in 1803 and considered the decisive confrontation that ended French colonial rule in Haiti. The victory of the Haitian forces paved the way for the country's independence, declared in 1804.
The manufacturer did not reveal which elements motivated the change requirement nor did it detail the changes made to the final version of the uniform.
According to Saeta, the project was developed in partnership with the Haitian Football Federation to mark the historic return of the Haitian team to the sport's main tournament. The proposal, according to the company, was to honor "the pride, resilience and spirit of the Haitian people" and was "not intended to be a political statement."
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"Several concepts were developed and refined over several months and submitted to FIFA's standard approval process," stated the note.
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Despite this, according to the note, during the analysis of the material, FIFA concluded that "certain visual elements could be interpreted differently" in accordance with the entity's regulations for sports equipment. Therefore, it requested changes to the design before final approval.
"Although this interpretation was different from our intention, Saeta respected the process and implemented the final requirements communicated by FIFA," the company stated.
Note from Saeta
"Following Haiti's historic qualification for the FIFA World Cup, Saeta had the privilege of designing the uniform for the national team's return to football's biggest stage.
Working closely with the Haitian Football Federation, our goal throughout the process was to create a shirt that celebrated the pride, resilience and spirit of the Haitian people.
Several concepts were developed and refined over several months and submitted to FIFA's standard approval process.
The final design presented by Saeta was conceived as a tribute to the men and women who contribute every day to the future of Haiti and was not intended to be a political statement.
During the review process, FIFA determined that certain visual elements could be interpreted differently under its sports equipment regulations and ultimately requested design modifications.
Although this interpretation was different from our intention, Saeta respected the process and implemented the final requirements communicated by FIFA.
We remain proud to have contributed, alongside the Haitian Football Federation, to this historic moment in Haitian football and we wish the team every success in the FIFA World Cup."

Source: G1