Adidas Faces Backlash Over German Football Kits

Adidas has prohibited football supporters from purchasing customized Germany football jerseys featuring the number 44, following media scrutiny over their similarity to the emblem utilized by Nazi SS units during World War II.

The SS units were primarily accountable for the Nazi regime’s crimes against humanity.

The recently unveiled kit has stirred controversy due to its selection of pink as the away color.

Historian Michael König was the first to raise concerns about the symbolism of the kits, describing the design as “highly 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.

In a post on 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 been greeted with 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 jerseys and kits for Germany 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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