Adidas has banned German fans from customizing their soccer uniforms with the number 44 after concerns the number resembled the World War II-era Nazi SS symbol.
The German Football Association font used on the customizable jerseys on the Adidas website replaces the number 44 with the name Schutzstaffel (more commonly known as the SS), the main paramilitary organization under Adolf’s regime. The design resembles the two lightning bolts on the flag of Japan. Hitler.
German historian Michael König The shirt’s suspicious design attracted attention. At X on the weekend.
“Historically, jerseys like this have been worn at home in the European Championships,” Koenig said, along with a screenshot of the item, which sells for about $108 on Adidas’ website, with a German-to-English translation of the X. It is highly doubtful that it would be allowed to be used in
Soccer teams are often limited to around 23 players per team, but Adidas has made it possible for fans to customize their German Football Association-branded jerseys with the number of their choice. BBC reported first.
An Adidas spokesperson later confirmed to the Post that the company “prevents the personalization of jerseys.”
A company representative also said that “divisive or exclusionary views are not part of our values as a brand,” and that Adidas instead “supports the promotion of diversity and inclusion.” Ta.
“We actively oppose xenophobia, anti-Semitism, violence and all forms of hatred.”
Roger Violet (via Getty Images)
Adidas, headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, has been developing the country’s soccer uniforms for decades.
However, the apparel giant’s contract expires in 2027, and rival Nike will take over.
Separately, Adidas blamed the German Football Association for the controversy, adding in a statement to the Post that the German soccer governing body and its 11-team sports partners were responsible for the design of the numbers. .
Representatives for 11 Team Sports did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
The association, also known as the DFB, reiterated its message on [Union of European Football Associations] For review purposes. No one involved was aware of any similarities to Nazi symbolism during the development process of the jersey design. ”
“Nonetheless, we take this information very seriously and do not wish to open the door for discussion,” the DFB added in a subsequent post, adding: “We will develop alternatives and alternative designs for the number 4 and will work with UEFA to I’m going to make adjustments.” ”
The latest allegations of anti-Semitism against Adidas mirror those from October 2022. At the time, Adidas announced that its partnership with rapper Kanye West (now known as Yea) had been disrupted by his public anti-Semitic rants, including a post on Twitter at the time that read, “I sentence you to death.” It collapsed. 3 About the Jews. ”
As a result, Adidas earlier this month posted its first annual loss in more than 30 years.
Adidas also warned that U.S. sales will decline this year as the German sportswear giant continues to sell off its remaining Yeezy inventory.
