Number is reminiscent of Waffen-SS
Adidas is removing the back number from the German European Championship jersey
April 1, 2024, 1:26 p.m
Supplier Adidas is causing a stir with the new jerseys for the German national team, and the unusually colorful away jersey is particularly eye-catching. But now there is a fuss about a shirt number. The 44, which is not intended at all, is visually reminiscent of the SS.
A footballer for the German national team will not wear the number 44. Not in a test match and not at the home European Championship this summer. Only numbers 1 to 23 are planned for the team. And yet the number causes a stir. A few days ago, the journalist Tobias Huch pointed out via In another post on In combination with the number, it looks like “Waffen-SS”. It ran concentration and extermination camps under Adolf Hitler and was primarily involved in carrying out the Holocaust.
Huch had sent a request to supplier Adidas. Among other things, he asked whether the company would remove the number from the online shop. Every buyer can choose the number freely, even if the DFB stars don’t play with it. Huch announced on X that Adidas had already confirmed the suspension to him on Friday. This number can no longer be purchased in the official DFB online shop. Now the “Bild” newspaper also takes up the topic and receives the following answer from Adidas spokesman Oliver Brüggen. “Our company stands for the promotion of diversity and inclusion, and as a company we actively campaign against xenophobia, anti-Semitism, violence and hatred in all forms.”
Nazi terms such as “leader” or “Hitler,” reports “Bild,” are already blocked in the Herzogenaurach-based company’s online shop because they “do not comply with Adidas’ guidelines for personalization.” It is not known whether and how many orders with the number “44” were received and delivered. The German Football Association has also responded to the anger. The association emphasized to “Bild” that it was not aware of the excitement until now. The DFB makes it clear once again that it distances itself from any right-wing ideas.
In the past few weeks, Adidas and the DFB have made headlines several times. First with the presentation of the new jerseys. The away kit in pink and purple in particular was a topic of conversation. Accompanied by an advertising campaign, the jersey ensured the best sales start for a DFB jersey. A few days later, the headlines were less positive. The DFB had announced a change of supplier in 2027. Then a partnership that has lasted well over 70 years ends and Nike takes over. This caused emotional waves. Even politicians like Robert Habeck and Karl Lauterbach got involved.