44 is reminiscent of SS: Germany alters Euro jerseys due to alleged allusion to the Nazi regime

Sport

The Adidas brand, responsible for German equipment, suspended the sale of the jersey on its website and canceled sales with the number ’44’, which is allegedly reminiscent of the ‘SS’, short for Schutzstaffel, the armed force linked to the Nazi-led regime by Adolf Hitler during World War II.

A German Football Association (DFB) will change the font on the shirts for Euro2024, the tournament that the Germans will organize, as the number 44 resembles the ‘SS’ linked to the Nazi regime, the organization announced.

After several criticisms in the press and in German society in a statement on its official website and social networks, the DFB moved forward with the change in shirts of ‘Mannschaft’, with the aim of put an end to the “controversy”.

“During the creation and approval process, no similarity was detected at any time. We take this information very seriously and do not want to provide a platform for discussion and controversy. Therefore, we will devise a new design for number 4 and we will coordinate with UEFA”, the note reads.

The Adidas brand, responsible for German equipment, suspended the sale of the shirt on its website and canceled sales with the number ’44’which is allegedly reminiscent of ‘SS’, diminutive for Schutzstaffelthe armed force linked to the Nazi regime led by Adolf Hitler during World War II.

In March, the DFB announced that Adidas, which has ‘dressed’ the German team since 1950, will be replaced by the North American Nike from 2017.

Euro2024, which will feature Portugal, will take place between June 14th and July 14th.