Wallace making adjustments after new club jersey causes stir
WEXFORD F.C. recently hit the headlines with the release of a striking new jersey, which features Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick’s iconic image of Che Guevera.
MEP Mick Wallace’s name is also emblazoned across the front of the bright pink kit, which was produced by Bodibro, with his political group – The European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) – underneath.
While not altogether happy with the suggestion that the jersey breaches FAI rules involving political sponsorship on playing kits, Wallace conceded that slight changes will be made in the hopes of getting approval.
Speaking from Brussels, he said: ‘I’m going to make some adjustments to see will it pass, so we’ll see. There’s a slightly different version being printed. The ones as they are now will definitely be collector’s items.
‘I’ve made a little change, I’ve taken GUE/NGL off it, the political group. That was the most political thing on it. My name has been on the jersey since 2006.
‘Our first season was 2007 and we printed jerseys in December ‘06 for the new season. My name has been on them from day one, so there’s nothing new about that for the FAI,’ he said.
However, he insisted the image of Che Guevara – the Argentine-born physician, who became a key figure in the Cuban Revolution – will remain.
‘The blurred image of Che Guevara, they’d be some harsh if they used that against me. I’m taking the political grouping off it, even though they weren’t sponsoring it anyway. I was only putting it on it as a goodwill gesture because I work with them,’ Wallace said.
The FIFA rulebook prohibits political slogans, statements or images, but Wallace is adamant that it’s one rule for one and one for another, citing the likes of Manchester City, PSG and Arsenal as prime examples of the hypocrisy in the game.
‘They say you can’t have anything political on a jersey, but if you think about it, Manchester City have Etihad on their jersey. They’re owned by the UAE, who are involved in a genocide in Yemen.
‘It’s a total disgrace. And Manchester City wearing that on their jersey, I mean how political can it be?,’ he said.
‘The crowd in Qatar are involved with PSG, they arm the Jihadists in Syria. Arsenal have Visit Rwanda on their jersey, well I can tell you now that’s paid for by the Rwandan government.
‘Sure that’s totally political, how’s that not political?,’ he said.
‘Did you see the Linfield jersey, with the sash on it in the UVF colours? The Irish Football Association had no problem with it. If UEFA had no problem with that, they’d have some neck to give out about mine,’ he added.
Turning his attentions to the return of League of Ireland football, Wallace is looking forward to Wexford F.C. getting the chance to get back to the playing fields, although he admitted it will put a financial strain on the club.
‘It’s going to cost all of us money because we’re getting less from the FAI than we’d get on the gate, even from a small attendance like ours. People don’t realise how much it costs to run a club.
‘We’ve Under-13, -15, -17 and -19 boys, and then the women’s teams and the senior team. The costs are phenomenal.
‘Just maintaining the place, insurance and electricity. It’s unbelievable that we’ve kept it going.
‘It was going grand in the early days because I was printing money in construction, but it’s been a struggle since my business collapsed,’ he said.
Despite the difficulties on and off the field in recent seasons, Wallace is full of praise for those involved in the club, appreciating the sterling efforts of all involved.
‘There’s great lads down there and a very good committee there at the moment,’ he said.
‘Their heart and soul is in it. Brian O’Sullivan [manager] and David Breen [assistant], they’re two really good lads. They really care and are really up for it.
‘It costs them fellas money to come down from Waterford and coach and manage our lads.
‘They’re really great. We’ve a nice group of players this year and they deserve to get a chance to play, even if it is going to cost us a few extra bob,’ he said.