The German Football Association (DFB) announced on Monday that it would change the typeface used on its uniforms after one of its jersey numbers was compared to a Nazi symbol.
The number 4 worn by national team players is said to resemble the insignia of the Nazi elite SS.
“The DFB will check numbers 0 to 9 and submit numbers 1 to 26 to UEFA for review,” the football association said in a statement.
The DFB said: “No one involved recognized any similarities to Nazi symbolism in the production process.”
Despite this, the sports body said it had no intention of “providing a forum for discussion”.
“Working with our partner 11teamsports, we will develop an alternative design for the number 4 shirt and coordinate it with UEFA,” the DFB said.
Kit provider Adidas removed the shirt personalization option for the German strip from its website on Monday afternoon, German daily Bild reported.
The name and number personalization feature was not available when an AFP reporter visited the website on Monday night.
The shirt with the number 44 on it was at the center of the controversy, with this set of numbers said to be the most similar to the SS logo.
According to Bild, orders for shirts with that number have already been stopped, but deliveries have been stopped.
The new typeset was worn in recent friendlies against France and the Netherlands, as Germany prepares to host the European Men's Football Championship in June and July.
DFB caused a stir last month when it announced that it would replace Adidas as its kit provider from 2027.
A German apparel maker that has supplied national teams since the 1950s will make way for American sportswear giant Nike.
