Faisali under fire for complaint against turquoise sanitation garb

AMMAN – A complaint by Faisali football club on Tuesday against using turquoise uniforms for sanitation workers has drawn criticism from both the club’s fans and Jordanians in general. 

Football analysts and fans interviewed by The Jordan Times agreed that the request by the club “humiliated” sanitation workers instead of showing respect for their dedication and work. 

On Tuesday the club issued a statement opposing the decision taken by the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) to change workers’ orange uniforms to turquoise. 

The club expressed “surprise” over the municipality’s decision to use the colour of the Faisali jersey, claiming that GAM officials did not ask their permission to use the colour. 

“We have high respect for this segment of society and we appreciate their dedication, but we ask with great concern, why did GAM decide to use the club’s colour, which has not been changed since its establishment?” 

The club’s spokesperson did not provide further details, advising The Jordan Times to search for the statement via Google. 

On Monday, GAM decided to replace sanitation workers’ orange uniforms with turquoise ones following a suggestion made by Jawad Kasasbeh, the brother of Muath, the air force pilot murdered by Daesh, to change the orange uniform as the colour is now associated with the terror group.

Deputy Amman Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh said in a statement made available to The Jordan Times that the municipality later decided to switch to olive green as the new colour for the workers’ uniforms.

Amjad Majali, the head of the sports department at Al Rai Arabic daily, said he was surprised when he learnt about the club’s view.

“It is really surprising to see such a club complain about the colour of the uniform of sanitation workers, whose work is hugely appreciated all over the country,” he said. 

Taiseer Omeiri, head of the sports section at Al Ghad daily, said no specific party can claim ownership of a colour.

“It is not a humiliation for Faisali that their team’s colour resembles the colour of sanitation worker garb. On the contrary, it should be a great honour,” he added. 

Ahmad Eid, a fan of the club, charged that the complaint is an attempt to win back Faisali supporters who are upset with the team’s performance. 

“Personally, I am proud of the work done by sanitation workers,” he added. 

Mohammad Hindawi, another fan, agreed with Eid, saying that the club’s statement will have a negative impact on the team’s reputation.

Hindawi said the club should have taken advantage of GAM’s decision by showing appreciation and respect for the decision so that they could attract more fans. 

The change in the sanitation workers’ uniforms also sparked a debate on social media.

“I am proud of the workers regardless of their uniform,” Fuad Khasawneh posted on Facebook. 

Samer Kamal (@SAmer_Kamal) said the club should have been honoured by the choice of turquoise. 

“It is a great honour for any club to have the same colour of the sanitation workers’ uniform,” he tweeted. 

Rawan Abu Assaf (@RawanAbuAssaf) went further, say that sanitation workers have the right to sue anyone who does not want to wear the same colour of their uniform. 

GAM’s media centre and other officials at the municipality could not be reached for comment despite several attempts by The Jordan Times.