Haiti forced to change kit design on eve of World Cup despite ‘misinterpretation’

Haiti have been instructed by FIFA to tweak their kit design on the eve of the World Cup.

An image depicting the Battle of Vertieres, a conflict which helped Haiti secure their independence, was featured on all three of their strips.

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However, FIFA’s rules stipulate shirts are prohibited from displaying any ‘political, religious, or personal messages or slogans’.

Saeta, who manufactured Haiti’s World Cup kits, insist the design was not meant as a political statement.

Kit manufacturer responds to FIFA’s request

“Working in close collaboration with the Haitian Football Federation, our objective throughout this process was to create a jersey that celebrate the pride, resilience and spirit of the Haitian people,” Saeta said via a statement.

“Several concepts were developed and refined over a number of months and submitted through FIFA’s standard approval process.

“The final design presented by Saeta was intended as a tribute to the men and women who contribute every day to Haiti’s future and was not intended as a political statement.

“During the review process, FIFA determined that certain visual elements could be interpreted differently under its equipment regulations and ultimately requested modifications to the design.

“While this interpretation differed 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 for Haitian football and wish the team every success at the FIFA World Cup.”

Haiti wore the kits featuring the design during their pre-World Cup friendlies against New Zealand and Peru with no pushback from FIFA at the time.

Fans were evidently eager to get their hands on Saeta’s kits for Haiti before FIFA demanded they change the design, with all three strips sold out on their website.

AFP

Who do Haiti play at the World Cup and when are their games?

Haiti begin their World Cup adventure on June 14 against Scotland in Boston.

The Grenadiers then face five-time world champions Brazil in Philadelphia on June 20.

A date with Morocco on June 24, who reached the semi-finals at the last World Cup, rounds out Haiti’s group proceedings.

This year’s tournament marks Haiti’s first appearance at the World Cup since 1974.

Sebastien Migne’s side will hope to do a little better than the class of ’74 given they lost all three matches, scoring twice but conceding 14.

Regardless of how they fare, the world No. 83 will bring plenty of passion on and off the field having waited 52 years for this moment.