Adam Morton-Delaney calls out Qatar ahead of the World Cup with his Pathetic Pennants

As the 2022 World Cup is about to kick off in Qatar, designer and art director Adam Morton-Delaney has used the opportunity to criticise the poor human rights track record of the host nation. And he's done this by subverting the traditionally respectful symbol of football pennants.

Written By: Dom Carter

16 November 2022

Red fabric pennant with white fringe displaying "NOT COMING HOME NOT COMING HOME NEVER COMING HOME" text, hung against grey wall by white rope with wooden beads

Titled Pathetic Pennants, Adam's project plays with the imagery of the fabric drapes exchanged between teams and players before matches. While this is usually an honourable gesture, Pathetic Pennants turns the concept on its head by proudly displaying messages such as 'World Cup Fuck Up' and 'Even Cricket Is More Fun Than This!'

The alternative pennants also blow the whistle on the estimated 6,500 migrant workers who died during the construction of the stadium, as well as FIFA's decision to put profit before people by letting the tournament take place where homosexuality is illegal. As Adam puts it: "The World Cup in Qatar will be the ugliest tournament the beautiful game has ever seen."

Green pennant with white fringe featuring text criticising the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, part of Adam Morton-Delaney's Pathetic Pennants project

Blue football pennant with white dots and "WORLD CUP FUCK UP" text, attached to red, green and blue rope with wooden beads and fringe tassels

A black and white fabric pennant with fringe edges reading "We Didn't Mean This Kind of Sudden Death" from Adam Morton-Delaney's Pathetic Pennants project criticising the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

He adds: "I'm a massive football fan, and whilst I'm excited to watch England at a major tournament, I feel like I can't fully get behind them this year because the tournament's location and organisation have been so misjudged.

"It's a shame because the World Cup has the power to bring people together. But this year, Qatar seems to be doing everything it can to do the opposite. Just you watch: wouldn't it be typical if this was the one England won?"

The series of ten pennants are beautifully crafted, which acts as a brilliant contrast to their messaging. Made out of silk and what Adam calls "those nice frilly bits around the edge", these pennants are steeped in football's rich design history of matchday programmes.

Red and white fabric pennant reading "SOCCER'S HAD A SHOCKER" with frayed edges and wooden toggle, from Adam Morton-Delaney's Pathetic Pennants project criticising the 2022 Qatar World Cup

Red and yellow fabric pennant with red fringed edges reading "Good Times Never Screamed So Gooood" from Adam Morton-Delaney's Pathetic Pennants project critiquing the Qatar World Cup

Light blue pennant with white fringe displaying the text "Even Cricket Is More Fun Than This" from Adam Morton-Delaney's Pathetic Pennants project

Yellow and green fabric pennant reading "Blatter's Pockets Getting Fatter" with fringe trim and cord hanger, part of Adam Morton-Delaney's Pathetic Pennants project criticising the Qatar World Cup

As for the messaging, some of the copy calls back to well-known football chants. The infamous 'it's coming home' becomes 'not coming home', while other pennants refer to unfair moments in footballing history, such as Frank Lampard's disallowed goal against Germany. Meanwhile, the typefaces are a nod to protest banners and fan flags, while the colours reflect the strips of participating teams.

Even the number of pennants in the set is also a dig at the situation in Qatar. "Originally, there were going to be eleven pennants in total – to mark eleven players in a team," Adam reveals. "But instead, there are ten: one less, to highlight how this year's World Cup in Qatar isn't fair."