Number four on Germany jerseys to be redesigned over Nazi symbolism

The new kit, launched before Germany host the European Championship in June and July, debuted during their 2-0 friendly win over France last month.

 Germany players during the warm up before the match. (photo credit: REUTERS/AMR ABDALLAH DALSH)
Germany players during the warm up before the match.
(photo credit: REUTERS/AMR ABDALLAH DALSH)

The design for the number four on Germany's national team shirts will be changed over concerns that the number '44' resembled the symbol used by Nazi 'SS' units, the German Football Association (DFB) said on Monday.

The new kit, launched before Germany host the European Championship in June and July, debuted during their 2-0 friendly win over France last month.

"The DFB checks the numbers 0-9 and then submits the numbers 1-26 to UEFA for review. None of the parties involved saw any proximity to Nazi symbolism in the creation process of the jersey design," the DFB said in a statement on X.

"Nevertheless, we take the comments very seriously and do not want to provide a platform for discussions... we will develop an alternative design for the number 4 and coordinate it with UEFA."

Adidas promises to remove 44

The DFB's official supplier Adidas had earlier said that they would remove the number 44 from their range of customisation options.

Nazi SS medal (credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Nazi SS medal (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

"We will block the number 44 as quickly as possible," Adidas spokesman Oliver Bruggen told German media. "As a company, we actively oppose xenophobia, antisemitism, violence, and hatred in any form."