FIFA FORBIDS Denmark from training in human rights 'protest' strip which replaces sponsors with messages condemning World Cup hosts Qatar

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FIFA has banned Denmark from training in pro-human rights shirts at the Qatar World Cup.

The team was intending to wear shirts that had the phrase 'Human Rights For All' on it in a clear swipe at Qatar's human rights record. 

However, FIFA denied the team's application to wear the shirts, the Danish Football Association (DBU) said.

FIFA, which prohibits all political messages, urged teams last week to 'focus on football' and not to drag it 'into every ideological or political battle'. 

The DBU had previously announced that training shirts would display 'critical messages', with two sponsors - national lottery Danske Spil and bank Arbejdernes Landsbank - agreeing to have their logos replaced. 

Qatar has faced intense scrutiny over its human rights record, in particular on its women's and LGBTQ rights.

Its treatment of migrant workers in the lead-up to this year's tournament has also been in the spotlight, with thousands allegedly injured or killed while building stadiums for the World Cup. 

Denmark players huddle before the semi-final of the Euros against England last year

They have also produced an all-black matchday strip to signify the 'colour of mourning' in Qatar

Homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf state and captains from a number of leading European countries, including England, France and Germany, will wear armbands in rainbow colours with the message 'One Love' in an anti-discrimination campaign.

Jakob Jensen, the managing director of the DBU, told Danish agency Ritzau: 'We have sent an application to FIFA, but the answer is negative, and we regret that, but we must take it into account.

'To me, this is a shirt with a simple message about universal human rights.'

If Denmark wears the shirts anyway, they could be fined or even deducted points.

Amnesty International said: 'We do not understand that FIFA rejects this fine and important initiative from DBU.

Qatar has been criticised for its treatment of workers during the construction of stadiums

'FIFA says time and time again that they take human rights very seriously, and in 2017 the association adopted a human rights policy for the first time, in which they undertake to respect human rights.

'We therefore believe that it is disappointing that they reject this basic human rights message.'

In September Denmark's kit maker HummelSport unveiled the team's matchday shirts with toned down logos and a black third kit to signify the 'colour of mourning'  to 'send a dual message' about Qatar's poor human rights record.

The move infuriated Qatar's Supreme Committee, which hit back at Hummel.   

It claimed it has worked 'diligently' alongside the Qatari government to ensure 'significant reforms to the labour system enacting laws protecting the rights of workers and ensuring improved living conditions' were made.

It said: 'We dispute Hummel's claim that this tournament has cost thousands of people their lives.

'Furthermore, we wholeheartedly reject the trivialising (of) our genuine commitment to protect the health and safety of the 30,000 workers who built FIFA World Cup stadiums and other tournament projects.

'The same commitment now extends to 150,000 workers across various tournament services and 40,000 workers in the hospitality sector. 

'Like every country, progress on these issues is a journey without a finish line, and Qatar is committed to that journey.'

World Cup organisers have hit back at Hummel and allege they work in places such as China, a country which also has concerning human rights issues

A report released today said migrant laborers who built Qatar's World Cup stadiums often worked long hours under harsh conditions and were subjected to discrimination, wage theft and other abuses as their employers evaded accountability.

The 75-page report by the London-based charity Equidem came less than two weeks before the Gulf Arab nation hosts the world's biggest sporting event, with over 1.2 million fans expected to descend on the tiny emirate for the tournament.

Equidem interviewed 60 workers over a period of two years who were employed across all eight stadiums. 

All of them spoke to the group on condition of anonymity, fearing retribution.

Workers described illegal recruitment fees that left them deeply in debt before they even started, long working hours in the desert heat and other harsh conditions.

There was also nationality-based discrimination in which the most dangerous high-rise work was reserved for Africans and South Asians.

Migrant workers endured verbal and physical violence, were denied overtime pay and were left with unpaid wages, the report said.

Qatar's media office said authorities carried out over 3,700 inspections last month and have stepped up enforcement of labor laws, leading to a decline in violations.

It said: 'Equidem should encourage the respondents in its report to lodge complaints through the proper channels if they believe a law has been broken.'