Adidas has implemented a prohibition on football aficionados personalizing German football uniforms with the number 44, alleging similarity to emblems utilized by Nazi SS soldiers during World War II. A representative for Adidas acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and said, “We will block personalization of the jerseys.”
The choice of pink for the away colors is one of the main points of contention in the recently unveiled kit, which goes beyond the 44. Widespread discussion was sparked by historian Michael König’s emphasis on the “very questionable” design.
The iconic SS rune, first used by Nazi units in 1929, conjures images of the horrors that were committed during the Holocaust. Adidas spokesman Oliver Brüggen has claimed that the resemblance was accidental, but scrutiny is still intense.
It was also made clear by the German Football Association (DFB) that the numbers on the shirts were created in conjunction with partners and submitted for UEFA’s inspection. Although there were initially no complaints, a different design for the number 4 is currently being worked on.
As criticism over the decision to designate bright pink as the away color grows, the dispute gets more intense. Detractors claim it violates tradition and supports economic interests rather than cultural representation, while supporters defend it as a sign of diversity.
