Germany bans fans from buying number 44 kits over Nazi symbolism
(FILES) Germany's defender #04 Jonathan Tah (L) passes the ball ahead of France's forward #11 Ousmane Dembele (R) during the friendly football match between France and Germany, at the Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, near Lyon, on March 23, 2024. The German Football Association (DFB) said on April 1, 2024 it would change the typeface used on its shirts after one of the kit numbers drew comparisons to a Nazi symbol. The number four worn by national team players was said to bear a resemblance to the insignia of the Nazis' elite SS corps. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
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Adidas has
banned football fans from buying German football kits customised with the
number 44, after media raised their resemblance to the symbol used by World War
Two-era Nazi SS units.
"We
will block personalization of the jerseys," an Adidas spokesman said.
SS units
were the most responsible for the crimes against humanity committed by the
Nazis.
The newly
released kit has also caused controversy with its choice of pink for the away
colours.
The
symbolism issue was first raised by historian Michael König, who said the
design of the kits was "very questionable".
The SS
rune was designed in 1929 for use by the Nazi units. Members of the SS ranged
from Gestapo agents to concentration camp guards. SS duties included
administering death camps where millions of Jews and others were put to death.
Adidas
spokesman Oliver Brüggen denied that the kit's resemblance to the Nazi symbols
was intentional.
"We
as a company are committed to opposing xenophobia, anti-Semitism, violence and
hatred in every form," he said.
Adidas
separately told the BBC that the German Football Association (DFB) and its
partners had designed the numbers on the shirts.
In a post
on Twitter/X, the DFB said the shirt designs had been submitted to UEFA for
review during the design process and that "none of the parties involved
saw any proximity to Nazi symbolism".
They added
that an alternative design for the number 4 would be developed.
The same
kit has met additional controversy for its choice of bright pink as the away
colour. Supporters say the colour represents the country's diversity. But
critics claim it is untraditional and has been introduced in order to raise
money for the DFB.
Adidas has
manufactured German jerseys since the 1950s.
But a decision by the DFB to drop German company Adidas in favour of American giant Nike as the manufacturer of German football kits from 2027 has been blasted for lacking "patriotism" by Economy Minister Robert Habeck.
Germany will host this year's European Football Championship, which will be held in 10 different cities.
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