(JTA) Adidas' new line of German soccer kits is being redesigned after customers noticed that the number 44 on the back resembled the infamous Nazi SS lightning bolt symbol.
The German Football Association (DFB) said in a statement that the jersey number design had been submitted to the European Football Association for review and that “no one involved recognized any similarities to Nazi symbolism during the development process of the kit design. There wasn't,” he announced. ”
The font on the jerseys has now been changed to make it less reminiscent of the SS, which played a leading role in perpetrating the Holocaust.
“Nonetheless, we take this information very seriously and do not wish to open the door for discussion,” the DFB said, adding: “We will develop an alternative design for the number 4 and coordinate it with UEFA.” Ta.
Ralph Ebbing – FIRO SPORTPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Germany's Jonathan Tarr, wearing No. 4, dribbles during the international friendly match between France and Germany at Groupama Stadium in Lyon, France on March 23, 2024. Ralph Ebbing – FIRO SPORTPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Although the jersey number “44” is not currently worn by any players on either the men's or women's teams, the team's official uniform supplier, German sportswear company Adidas, allows its customers to wear numbers 00 through 99 and their names on their jerseys. You can customize it by adding . Up to 10 characters. That means those purchasing the jersey will be able to choose number 44.
Adidas spokesperson Oliver Brüggen told German news outlet Bild that the company “intends to block the number 44 as soon as possible.”
He told the German publication that the company “categorically rejects any suggestion that this was our intention,” adding that the company employs people from 100 countries and has no concerns about anti-Semitism or other forms of He pointed out that he is against hatred. “Attempts to foster divisiveness and alienation are not part of our values as a brand,” he said.
Additionally, the DFB reported that “certain names associated with National Socialism cannot be ordered.” Instead, I get an error message that says, “This does not comply with our personalization guidelines.” “Try something else.”
By Tuesday, no customization options were available, offering jerseys for players with numbers 4, 14 and 24 (defenseman Jonathan Tarr). Maximilian Beyer, forward. Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann is currently not available for purchase in the online store. His other 20 players' jerseys remain online and available for purchase.
Jerseys can also be purchased on the Adidas website, but cannot be customized. Other teams' jerseys will still be customizable.
Adidas has a unique Nazi history, being founded by brothers Adolf “Adi” and Rudolf Dassler, both of whom formally joined the Nazi Party and signed letters “Heil Hitler.” The Third Reich's emphasis on sports contributed to the company's explosive growth in shoe sales.
In 2022, the brand was embroiled in an anti-Semitic controversy after a former rapper named Kanye West, with whom the brand had a lucrative partnership, made a series of anti-Semitic comments in public. Under increasing pressure, Adidas ended the partnership.
DFB and Adidas unveiled the new uniforms on March 13 with an advertising campaign that “incorporates well-known German clichés and stereotypes” and repeats the phrase “typical German”. The team unveiled the kit for the first time in a friendly against France on March 23, and will wear it at the 2024 UEFA European Championship, hosted by Germany, in June.
Less than two weeks ago, DFB announced it would end its relationship with Adidas, which has lasted more than 70 years, when its contract expires in 2026 and instead turn to rival Nike. This was a blow to Adidas, which ended its relationship with West, which had a line of sneakers and clothing, and suffered financial losses.
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