Ukraine's new jersey will stir controversy

The Ukrainian national team has shown the jersey that will be worn in the upcoming friendlies ahead of the playoffs for the World Cup in Qatar 2022 and that will cause quite a few reactions. On the jersey made by Joma for the European Championships and then never worn is the silhouette of the Ukrainian nation with borders drawn using the flags of the countries that are supporting it during the Russian occupation war. In the center is the slogan "United for Ukraine" while above it is applied the logo of U24, the anti-war coalition proposed by President Volodymir Zelensky. In addition, the players' game numbers were created using the names of Ukrainian cities under attack, which have sadly become world famous because of the violence they are forced to endure on a daily basis. 

The jerseys will be worn in some friendly matches in preparation for the playoffs, the first of which will be played tonight, May 11, in Borussia against Monchengladbach, and then they will be donated to the cities and towns mentioned for display in local museums. The remainder will be auctioned off and the proceeds earmarked for United24, the platform wanted by Zelensky to defend the Ukrainian nation. 

This is not the first time Ukraine has included the outline of its borders on a soccer jersey. It had already happened in the run-up to the 2020 European Championships, when a less visible version of the same design was used with which the slogan "Glory to Ukraine" was associated on the back of the collar. Russia had sent a letter of protest to UEFA on the grounds that the map included Crimea within Ukraine's borders, while the Russians believe it was annexed to their territory in 2014, promptly returned to sender. We will see if this new jersey will also trigger the same controversy.