The recent release of Adidas’ German football kit has faced criticism due to its resemblance to the symbol used by Nazi SS units during World War II. The number 44 on the kit, when customized by fans, was banned by Adidas to prevent any association with the SS rune. Historian Michael König was among the first to highlight the questionable design of the kit and its symbolism attached to the Nazi units responsible for heinous crimes against humanity.
Despite an Adidas spokesman denying that the kit’s resemblance to Nazi symbols was intentional, the controversy has persisted. The German Football Association (DFB) and its partners were responsible for designing the numbers on the kit, which were reviewed by UEFA during the design process. Despite an initial lack of concerns, an alternative design for the number 4 will now be developed to address the issue.
In addition to the symbol controversy, some supporters have also criticized Germany’s choice of bright pink as its away color for this football season. While some view it as a representation of diversity and inclusivity, others believe it is a non-traditional choice aimed at generating revenue for Germany’s national sports federation (DFB). Some critics have even accused DFB of lacking patriotism after announcing that they will switch from Adidas to Nike as their manufacturer in 2027.
The move has been met with criticism from Economy Minister Robert Habeck, who accused DFB of lacking patriotism due to their decision to switch manufacturers while hosting one of Europe’s biggest sporting events – Euro 2020. Despite these criticisms, Germany is still set to host Euro 2020 in ten different cities later this year, making it a significant event for football enthusiasts around the world.
Overall, while Adidas may have taken steps to address criticism surrounding their new German football kit design, there are still issues that need addressing before we can fully appreciate its significance as an important part of European football history.
