Bristol trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack have teamed up with fan-owned League of Ireland club Bohemian FC to design a striking new third strip for the 2026 FAI Cup, blending football heritage with anti-imperialist political activism, according to club officials and band statements. The jersey features design elements inspired by Cuban national kits, references the Irish ancestry of Che Guevara, and directs 30 per cent of its profits toward emergency medical aid on the embargoed island.
Design and Political Symbolism of the Massive Attack Bohs Jersey
The new Bohemian FC third jersey incorporates thick khaki and black stripes alongside a red V-neck collar centered by a large white star taken directly from the Cuban flag, according to coverage from Clash Music. The club’s crest appears in the Irish language, while the inside neck tape displays the lyric “Love is a doing word” from the Massive Attack classic single “Teardrop.” On the front of the shirt, the Massive Attack logo sits alongside stripes adorned with text from Che Guevara’s historic 1965 anti-imperialist speech at the Afro-Asian conference in Algeria. An embroidered hem tag features the famous two-tone Che Guevara graphic created by Dublin artist Jim Fitzpatrick, complete with his signature. Inside the Massive Attack flame symbol on the back of the shirt, a quote from the revolutionary’s father, Ernesto Guevara Lynch, reads: “In my son’s veins flowed the blood of the Irish rebels,” noting Co Galway roots.
Funding Medical Aid Amid the US Blockade in Cuba
Thirty per cent of the profits from the shirt sales will directly support two organizations—Cuba Vive and MediCuba Europe—that supply emergency medical aid to Cuba, according to club statements reported by Hot Press. Cuba is currently suffering severe fuel shortages and power blackouts driven by Trump administration sanctions and a broader US blockade that the UN has condemned as a serious violation of international law. According to Hot Press, the Cuba Solidarity Campaign’s Cuba Vive has shipped 14 containers of aid valued at over €2.9 million, including blood transfusion sets, intubation tubes, and syringes, while Medi-Cuba-Europe represents a 14-country network contributing roughly €30 million in medical equipment and raw pharmaceutical materials to sustain the island’s health system.
Did You Know?
Bohemian FC has a long history of music-themed jerseys and political advocacy, having previously released shirts designed by Fontaines D.C. and featuring slogans welcoming refugees. The club’s Dalymount Park stadium also hosted reggae superstar Bob Marley for his only Irish performance in 1980.
Fan Ownership and Musical Collaboration at Dalymount Park
Bohemian FC chief commercial officer Daniel Lambert links the club’s activism directly to its fan-owned status, explaining that loyalty must be built on human connection rather than billionaire wealth. Lambert, who also manages the Irish rap group Kneecap, connected with Massive Attack through mutual artistic circles. “Massive Attack have been of great assistance to Kneecap in the past couple of years,” Lambert told the club’s main source reporters. The release of the jersey is accompanied by two short films produced by Unit 3 Films in Bristol, one interweaving Jim Fitzpatrick’s artwork with the strip and another pairing Guevara’s speeches with terrace imagery. Massive Attack stated that they are proud to follow the tradition of musicians collaborating with Bohemian FC to support a fan-owned club while drawing attention to critical political struggles.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Massive Attack Bohemian FC jersey be worn?
According to Clash Music, the third strip is designated for use by the fan-owned Dublin club during the 2026 FAI Cup.
Which charities receive donations from the shirt sales?
Thirty per cent of the profits go to Cuba Vive and MediCuba Europe to provide emergency medical aid amid the US blockade, as reported by the main source and Hot Press.
What political text appears on the jersey?
The shirt features text from Che Guevara’s 1965 anti-imperialist speech in Algeria, along with a quote from his father regarding Irish ancestry, according to club and band announcements.
Who designed the graphic of Che Guevara on the jersey?
The iconic two-tone graphic on the embroidered hem tag was created by Dublin artist Jim Fitzpatrick.
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