New Delhi, Apr 2: Fearing Nazi propaganda, apparel and shoemaker Adidas has banned German football fans from buying and personalizing jerseys with the number “44.”
Adidas AG is a German athletic apparel and footwear corporation headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria. It is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe, and, after Nike, the second largest in the world. The reason it has banned Germans from buying jerseys with “44” emblazoned on them is that it symbolized the Nazi SS units, responsible for the genocide of the Jews and others in Europe during the Second World War.
The Nazi units under the Schutzstaffel(SS) were organized by dictator Adolph Hitler and the Nazi party in Germany during the 1930s and early 1940s. Concerns that the number “44” jerseys resembled the SS of Nazi were raised by historian Michael Konig who questioned the shirt’s design. “Historically, it is very questionable to allow such jerseys for the home European Championship,” he said.
Adidas spokesperson Oliver Bruggen denied the jersey resembled the Nazi insignia, adding his company avoids everything that can separate people. “People from around 100 countries work at Adidas. Our company stands for the promotion of diversity and inclusion and we actively campaign against xenophobia, antisemitism, violence, and hatred in all forms. “Any attempts to promote divisive or exclusionary views are not part of our brand, ” he added.
The German Football Federation (DFB) said on X (formerly Twitter) that the jersey was submitted to the UEFA during the designing process but the federation has stopped delivering the kits with the number “44” on its online platforms.