The German football team has announced that the design for the number four on its new kit will be redesigned amid claims it bears a striking resemblance to the logo used by the Nazi SS units.
Germany’s official supplier Adidas had initially banned German football fans from customising the jerseys with 44 on the back but the sports giant will ditch the number in its current format amid a backlash.
The personalised kit sparked outrage amid claims the 44 looked like the infamous SS ‘lightning bolts’ symbol, with historian Michael König describing its design as ‘very questionable’.
SS units were the most responsible for crimes against humanity committed by the Nazis during World War Two.
The new kit, launched before Germany host the European Championship in June and July, debuted during their 2-0 friendly win over France last month.
‘The DFB checks the numbers 0-9 and then submits the numbers 1-26 to UEFA for review. None of the parties involved saw any proximity to Nazi symbolism in the creation process of the jersey design,’ the German Football Association (DFB) said in a statement.
The German football team has announced that the design for the number four on its new kit will be redesigned amid concerns that the number ’44’ resembled the symbol used by Nazi ‘SS’ units
An SS logo is seen on the clothes of a German soldier in approximately 1935 (File image)
‘Nevertheless, we take the comments very seriously and do not want to provide a platform for discussions… we will develop an alternative design for the number 4 and coordinate it with UEFA.’
Adidas had earlier said that they would remove the number 44 from their range of customisation options.
‘We will block the number 44 as quickly as possible,’ Adidas spokesman Oliver Bruggen told German media.
‘As a company we actively oppose xenophobia, anti-Semitism, violence and hatred in any form.’
Amid a backlash, Mr König wrote on X: ‘Historically it is very questionable to allow such jerseys for the home European Championship.’
Members of the SS, designed by the Nazi units in 1929, varied from Gestapo agents to concentration camp guards.
Duties of SS members included managing concentration camps where millions of Jews and other people were killed.
Germany is set to host this 2024’s European Football Championship, which will be held this summer across 10 different cities.
The issues raised with the personalised Germany kit comes after England’s kit for the 2024 games was also widely criticised.
Nike caused fury among England football fans for going ‘woke’ after giving the country’s kit a controversial overhaul by altering the St George’s flag.
The American sportswear company switched the traditional red cross for one featuring navy, light blue and purple on the shirt which costs up to £125.
Nike caused fury among England football fans for going ‘woke’ after giving the country’s kit a controversial overhaul by altering the St George’s flag
The American sports brand tweeted the launch of the new kit and made specific reference to the ‘new’ flag
Supporters and commentators blasted Nike for making what the firm described as a ‘playful update’ on the collar to ‘unite and inspire’ fans.
Some subsequently branded the new Three Lions shirt ‘woke’ following its launch on Monday and demanded the flag be returned to its original colours.
But neither Nike nor the Football Association (FA) have plans to recall the kit – with sources claiming that the altered flag is a nod to the 1966 World Cup winners.
A Nike spokesperson said: ‘The England 2024 Home kit disrupts history with a modern take on a classic.
‘The trim on the cuffs takes its cues from the training gear worn by England’s 1966 heroes, with a gradient of blues and reds topped with purple. The same colours also feature an interpretation of the flag of St. George on the back of the collar.’
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