FIFA reportedly order Belgium to remove ‘love’ from away shirt collar

Callum Boyle

Belgium have been asked to remove the shirt numbers

Belgium have reportedly been ordered by FIFA to remove the word ‘Love’ from the collar of their away shirt.

The controversial decision comes two days before Belgium face Canada in their first game of the World Cup. Belgium collaborated with Tomorrowland, the famous electronic dance music festival held in Boom, Flanders and wanted to add ‘love’ to their latest shirt.

Since the launch in June, Belgium have sold thousands of kits and had planned to wear them in Qatar.

ESPN have reported that FIFA didn’t even give Belgium the option to negotiate and refused to discussion the situation with the Belgian Football Federation.

FIFA have demanded that the Belgium team remove the word "love" from the collar of their away shirt, sources have told ESPN.

More: https://t.co/I1rMfeZQmS pic.twitter.com/cvBGFRjbSs

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 21, 2022

Belgium are yet to decide on whether or not they will accept the international governing body’s request however if they do agree, kit supplier Adidas will need to produce and supply Roberto Martinez’s side a new kit before Wednesday’s game.

Earlier on Monday it was confirmed that England, Wales, Belgium, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands abandoned their decision to wear the ‘One Love’ armband during their games.

All the nations involved were warned that their captains would be booked before kick off if they defied the rules. The national federations were prepared to pay a fine, but once warned about the yellow cards, reversed their decision.

Harry Kane was spotted without the ‘One Love’ armband during England’s 6-2 win against Iran whereas BBC pundit Alex Scott chose to wear the armband during the live coverage of the Three Lions’ win on Monday afternoon.

Addressing questions on his future with Belgium, after the tournament, boss Roberto Martinez told reporters, “Everyone can be sure, my only will and wish is that we will see Belgium as strong as possible at the World Cup. I want to make the fans as proud as possible. All my work will go into this in the coming months.”