Faced with the controversy, the sporting goods manufacturer Adidas and the German Football Federation (DFB) decided to react. The DFB announced on Monday 1er April, that it was going to change the font used for the flocking of the national team jerseys, whose number 4 resembles the Nazi insignia of the Schutzstaffel (SS).
In a press release, the DFB first specifies that this resemblance was not spotted at any time during the process of creation and then approval of the jerseys designed for Euro 2024, which Germany is organizing from June 14 to July 14. But faced with criticism, the Federation says it refuses to allow the matter to turn into controversy.
“We take this information very seriously and do not wish to provide a platform for discussion”she explains. “In cooperation with our partner 11teamsports, we will design a new design for the number 4 and we will coordinate with UEFA. »
Adidas stops deliveries
Without delay, Adidas, which equips the German selection, suspended Monday afternoon the option of personalization (name and number) of jerseys for sale on its e-commerce site, reported the daily Bild. Adidas, always according to Bildhas also stopped the delivery of 44 jerseys already ordered: these are the most controversial, the double 4 resembling the double S of the badge worn by members of the Schutzstaffel of the Nazi regime.
The affair comes as the DFB announced in March that it would change equipment supplier from 2027, when the American giant Nike will replace the historic Adidas, linked to German football since the 1950s.