Culture. Music. Policy. Football. This is not a design masterpiece, this is the most radical kit colab for 2026 👇 (⚠️ DISCLAIMER: this post is not a political message and if you take it as such – you missed the point. I don’t deal with politics, I deal with branding and communications) I don’t know where to start with the story about this jersey. Let’s put it this way – did you know that Ireland has two official languages? Besides English, there is also the traditional ‘Gaeilge na hÉireann’ or loosely translated ‘Irish Gaelic’. Only about 70,000 people actively use it – roughly the same number of residents in my city district Trešnjevka Jug. Kneecap is a band whose popularity exploded with lyrics that, in addition to English, also use that language. This is not a ‘cute heritage’ story – but a raw, urban, controversial cultural phenomenon that draws its foundations from Irish republicanism, a very specific ‘left-wing nationalism’ born of centuries of stormy history of the greenest island. Very politically active and radical, they are not exactly a classic choice of partner for a colab on a new jersey. On the other hand, Bohemian FC is no classic club either – member-owned since 1890, the red and black from Dublin are known for supporting ideas from the far left of the political spectrum. Match made in heaven? It looks like that. Together they designed their away jersey in a keffiyeh pattern, with elements of the Irish and Palestinian flags. Kneecap became the main sponsor, the name of the club in the coat of arms was translated into Irish Gaelic, and the jersey was filled with political messages of support for Palestine. It’s not all about messages – 30% of the earnings from the jersey will be donated to build a community music studio in a refugee camp on the West Bank. They will still keep 70% of the profits 👀 Design-wise – this is not a nice jersey. But beauty or harmony were not his goals. And they are not what makes it sell very well either. Some will say that it is being sold because of scandals or because of radicalism, but it is being sold because of culture, belonging, identity. Not close to you? I don’t either, but that’s the point of club culture – you don’t have to be liked by everyone, you just have to be what your community is. When the club as a football brand is stripped of everything, what remains is what is at its core – fans, community, values. Everything else is transient. (I need to learn to write shorter posts) — 🙋♂️ If you find this kind of content, somewhat atypical for LinkedIn, interesting – share, comment… you know how it goes. Thanks for your attention!
