Haiti have been forced to change their kit design just hours before the World Cup begins.
The Concacaf qualifiers are due to open their group stage against Scotland on Saturday and as FIFA prohibits the use of any “political, religious, or personal messages or slogans” on kits, they will have to change design immediately.
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Haiti’s kit features an illustration of the Battle of Vertieres in 1803, which secured the country’s independence, with the country’s flag.
Interestingly it was worn in both of their World Cup warm-up friendlies against New Zealand and Peru but FIFA have only now taken action against the country who will have to make drastic design alterations.
Saeta’s release statement
Haiti‘s kit supplier Saeta said: “Following Haiti‘s historic qualification for the Fifa World Cup, Saeta had the privilege of designing the apparel for the national team’s return to football‘s biggest stage.
“Working in close collaboration with the Haitian Football Federation, our objective throughout the process was to create a jersey that celebrated the pride, resilience and spirit of the Haitian people.
“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.
“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.”
The iconography appears on all three of Haiti’s shirts released by Saeta released ahead of the tournament which begins on Thursday night as South Africa take on
