India, June 13 -- Haiti's return to the FIFA World Cup after 52 years has been overshadowed by a controversy. FIFA rejected the Caribbean nation's official jersey just days before their tournament debut. The official communication stated that an image on the shirt violated FIFA's regulations on political messaging.

The illustration in question depicted the Battle of Vertieres that was fought on November 18, 1803. The image appeared on the right side of Haiti's blue jersey alongside the national flag. The battle was the final and decisive clash of the Haitian Revolution making Haiti became the first black republic in the world.

FIFA's decision came from Section 14.2 of its Equipment Regulations, which states that "any political, religiou...