The new Bob Marley jersey set sales records at Ajax Amsterdam. The Uefa now demanded a change to the Jersey.
The Dutch record champions Ajax Amsterdam had to change their sensational Bob Marley style third jersey slightly after a request from Uefa. The three birds originally intended can no longer be seen below the collar on the back of the jersey.
At the request of an Ajax fan site, the club said: “The European Football Union sees this as another form of expression besides the club logo, the logo of the main sponsor and the sleeve sponsor. However, other forms of expression are not permitted.”
Ajax Amsterdam: Bob Marley jersey broke all sales records
The Uefa saw the three birds as an unauthorized additional advertising on the jersey. The design is based on the song “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley, which is one of the most important hymns of Ajax fans. The black jersey with striped cuffs in red, yellow and green was introduced in August and had caused a huge hype. The jersey was sold out in no time.
“The jersey has sold at least four times more than any other Ajax jersey. It’s unique,” said marketing director Menno Geelen. Last weekend in the league game at PEC Zwolle (2-0), the revised jersey was used for the first time without the three birds.
The connection between Ajax fans and Bob Marley came about during an away trip in August 2008. After a test match at Cardiff City, the fans had to stay in the fan block for a while. One of the songs that the stadium DJ played in the meantime was “Three Little Birds” by Marley. Since then, it has been sung by Ajax fans at every game.
Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella Marley was moved after the release of the jersey. “I’m more than touched that Ajax made ‘Three Little Birds’ their anthem. Stories like this warm my heart and show how powerful songs like ‘Three Little Birds’ can be. Football was everything to my father and around to put it in his own words: ‘Football is freedom’, “she said.
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