BOHEMIAN FC have been forced to remove an image of Bob Marley from their new away jersey after contact from the late Reggae singer's estate.
The League of Ireland club unveiled the shirt for the 2019 season to much fanfare last month, paying homage to the Jamaican pop icon who played a concert at their Dalymount Park stadium back in 1980.
But Bohs have now confirmed the image will not appear next season, after the Bob Marley representative agency got in touch to inform them that the third-party photo licencing company which sold them the picture did not have the authority to do so.
The Dublin-based club attempted to obtain the licence through the agency directly but contractual obligations meant it was not possible.
In a statement, Bohemians said: "The Bohemian Football Club was recently contacted by the Bob Marley representative agency in connection with our away jersey for the 2019 season, which featured an image of Bob Marley.
#Bohs statement on 2019 away jersey redesign: https://t.co/JKXVuKzAqz ✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/JqCIMx9483
— Bohemian FC 🔴⚫ (@bfcdublin) 5 November 2018
"Bohemian Football Club acted in good faith and followed the correct process when purchasing the licence for this image via a world-leading third-party photo licensing company.
"However, the Bob Marley representative agency has informed us that this company did not have the right to grant any such licence for this image. We are dealing with this separately.
"Subsequently, following direct correspondence with the Bob Marley representative agency, they cannot license the image to the Bohemian Football Club due to their own contractual and other obligations.
"Consequently, we can no longer supply the jersey with the image of Bob Marley as advertised."
The League of Ireland side made headlines across the globe and received orders from over 45 countries following the announcement of the jersey last month, even courting the approval of Marley’s son, Ky-Mani.
“For anyone who already registered for the 2019 away jersey, we are offering, at your discretion: 1) a full refund of the price paid, 2) a shop credit note or 3) the new redesigned away jersey," the club's statement added.
Instead, the Gypsies have opted for a clenched fist which, as the club say: "Is a symbol of solidarity and support used to express unity, strength and resistance."
The new design is now up on the #Bohs online store: https://t.co/omNj24izD7 👈
— Bohemian FC 🔴⚫ (@bfcdublin) 5 November 2018
