Dublin-based Bohemian FC and Kneecap release Palestine solidarity shirts to raise funds

Irish football club Bohemian FC has announced a collaboration with Irish band Kneecap to release a special edition football shirt to raise funds for ACLAÍ Palestine.

The Dublin-based club, one of the most successful in Irish football history, teamed up with the pro-Palestine rap group to design the shirt, which incorporates the colours of both the Irish and Palestinian flags.

The shirt features a fishnet pattern inspired by the Palestinian keffiyeh, with the Irish and Palestinian flags woven throughout the design. Inside the neck tape are the letters "C.E.A.R.T.A" meaning "rights", taken from Kneecap's track of the same name.

The collar and cuffs carry orange, green and red stripes drawn from both national flags, while each sleeve features three stitched stripes in the same colours. An embroidered hem tag on each sleeve reads "Dlúthpháirtíocht", meaning "solidarity" in Irish.

Thirty percent of profits from the shirts will be donated to ACLAÍ Palestine, a gym-based in the Aida refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. The funds will be used to help build a community music studio for displaced Palestinians.

Ainle Ó Cairealláin, founder and director of ACLAÍ Palestine, said the project symbolised solidarity between Ireland and Palestine and helped counter the isolation imposed on Palestinians by occupation, violence and international indifference.

Bohemian FC is one of the world’s oldest fully fan-owned football clubs and is known for its progressive political stance.

Daniel Lambert, chief commercial officer at Bohemian FC, said the collaboration demonstrated the power of sport and music when combined, particularly in supporting Palestinian culture.

Naoise Ó Cairealláin of Kneecap said Bohemian FC was one of the few sporting clubs that continued to stand firmly against oppression and in solidarity with the Palestinian people, calling it an honour for the band to be involved.

He added that helping to create a space where Palestinian artists could flourish was especially meaningful, and said Kneecap hoped to amplify the music produced at the new studio.

The shirts will be available at Bohemian FC’s merchandise shop in Dublin, with remaining stock sold online from midday on 18 December.