EDUCATION: Embossment Of Otumfuo’s Image Of Asante Kotoko 2022/23 Jerseys…. What Does The FIFA Law Says?

Asante Kotoko have released their home and away jerseys for the upcoming 2022/23 football season.

The two kits made by the club’s kit sponsor, Errea, feature the life patron of the club, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The home kit is the popular red while the away kit is also green, which depicts the traditional Asante Kingdom colour.

A lot of football administrators and Football fans shared their ideas on the jerseys, either it was right for the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II image to be on the jerseys or not

This is what FIFA LAW 4: Say; Slogans, Statements, Images and Advertising

Equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images. Players must not reveal undergarments that show political, religious, personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer’s logo. For any offence the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.

Principles

• Law 4 applies to all equipment (including clothing) worn by players, substitutes and substituted players; it’s principles also apply to all team officials in the technical area

• The following are (usually) permitted:

• the player’s number, name, team crest/logo, initiative slogans/emblems promoting the game of football, respect and integrity as well as any advertising permitted by competition rules or national FA, confederation or FIFA regulations

• the facts of a match: teams, date, competition/event, venue
• Permitted slogans, statements or images should be confined to the shirt front and/or armband
• In some cases, the slogan, statement or image might only appear on the captain’s armband

Interpreting the Law

When interpreting whether a slogan, statement or image is permissible, note should be taken of Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct), which requires the referee to take action against a player who is guilty of:

• using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or action(s)
acting in a provocative, derisory or inflammatory way
Any slogan, statement or image which falls into any of these categories is not permitted.

Whilst ‘religious’ and ‘personal’ are relatively easily defined, ‘political’ is less clear but slogans, statements or images related to the following are not permitted:

• any person(s), living or dead (unless part of the official competition name)

• any local, regional, national or international political party/organisation/group, etc.
any local, regional or national government or any of its departments, offices or functions
any organisation which is discriminatory

• any organisation whose aims/actions are likely to offend a notable number of people
• any specific political act/event

When commemorating a significant national or international event, the sensibilities of the opposing team (including its supporters) and the general public should be carefully considered.

Competition rules may contain further restrictions/limitations, particularly in relation to the size, number and position of permitted slogans, statements and images. It is recommended that disputes relating to slogans, statements or images be resolved prior to a match/competition taking place.