CNN
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Qatar World Cup organizers have challenged Danish kit maker Hummel’s allegations of human rights abuses in the host country after the unveiling of the Danish kits the country will wear at this year’s tournament.
On Wednesday, Hummel revealed “toned down” outfits Denmark will wear at the Men’s World Cup. Hummel says the subtle uniform message is in response to alleged human rights abuses that have occurred in Qatar.
The manufacturer unveiled three kits: an all-red, an all-white and an all-black that represents the “color of mourning”. The company says the look represents a protest to express that “we do not wish to be visible at a tournament that has cost thousands of lives,” according to an Instagram post from Hummel.
The Guardian reported last year that 6,500 migrant workers had died in the country in the 10 years since Qatar’s successful bid to host the tournament in 2010, most of whom were involved in low-paid and dangerous work. , often performed in extremely hot conditions.
The report – “categorically” denied by tournament organizers – did not link the 6,500 deaths to World Cup infrastructure projects and has not been independently verified by CNN.
Tournament organizers disputed Hummel’s claims on Wednesday and said they had engaged in a “strong and transparent dialogue” with the Danish Football Association (DBU).
“We wholeheartedly reject the trivialization of our genuine commitment to protecting the health and safety of the 30,000 workers who built the FIFA World Cup stadiums and other tournament projects,” organizers said in a statement. a statement. “That same commitment now extends to 150,000 workers in various tournament services and 40,000 workers in the hospitality sector.”
CNN has contacted FIFA for comment.
In May, when asked if FIFA would commit to the families of those who died in the preparations for the tournament, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the organization was investigating “all these issues” and that only three people had died.
Qatar has faced criticism for its treatment of migrant workers and the country’s anti-homosexuality laws. In May, the president of the Norwegian Football Association, Lise Klaveness, described as “unacceptable” the decision to designate Qatar as host country.
Amnesty International has sent an open letter co-signed by other human rights organizations to Infantino, calling on football’s international governing body to designate at least $440 million to compensate migrant workers.
Players taking part in the tournament, including England captain Harry Kane, have also spoken out against the country.
The 2022 World Cup will start on November 20 and run until December 18 in the Gulf nation. Denmark’s first match is scheduled for November 22 against Tunisia.
