As of: April 1, 2024, 11:59 a.m
By: Stefan Schmid
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A number on the back was reminiscent of a Nazi symbol. The number should only be blocked a few days after the first reports. Nothing has happened yet.
Frankfurt/Main – A player name, funny allusions or simply your own name. Fans can have their favorite club's jerseys personalized for an additional charge. In order to prevent rights-infringing or offensive distortions of the shirts, certain names or numbers are usually blocked in the fan shops as a preventive measure. However, the DFB and supplier Adidas have long missed out on the number 44, and the possible flock on the European Championship jersey is reminiscent of the “SS” rune.
The number 44, which is reminiscent of an “SS” rune, can still be selected in the Adidas shop. © Screenshot: adidas.de
There have been references to the Nazi rune for days: Now Adidas is reacting
Last Thursday (March 28th), journalist Tobias Huch drew attention to the fact that the number 44 on the DFB jersey looks like the “SS” rune with a screenshot on X. He also made it clear that he had already made a request to Adidas about this. The sporting goods manufacturer now reacted – a few days later.
When asked by Bild, Adidas spokesman Oliver Brüggen said: They wanted to “block number 44 as quickly as possible”. However, this announcement has not yet been implemented. You can still choose the shirt number 44 in both the DFB and Adidas fan shops (April 1st, 11:46 a.m.). And even though “Führer” is now blocked as a name, “Fuehrer” is still possible.
While “Führer” is now blocked as a name, the selection “Fuehrer” is still possible on Monday afternoon (April 1st, 11:46 a.m.). © Screenshot: adidas.de
Easter sleep at DFB and Adidas? – Nothing happens for four days
In his answer, Brüggen makes it clear that Adidas “stands for the promotion of diversity and inclusion” and that “as a company we actively combat xenophobia, anti-Semitism, violence and hatred in all forms”. In response to a Bild request, the DFB also said that it was distancing itself from any right-wing ideas. The association also raises questions with its statement shortly before the home European Championships.
In addition to the obvious distancing, the DFB announced that they had no knowledge of the information until the request was made. This means that both the public relations department of the association and Adidas have to put up with unpleasant questions. Why was the information ignored for so long and even an official press inquiry was sent out? Were you even in complete Easter sleep? According to their own statements, the DFB seemed to have been completely blind to the matter. While they had emerged with flying colors from the apparent away jersey scandal, the PR departments are now likely to have a bigger task ahead of them.
It is quite possible that the supplier and association's long hesitation has contributed to the fact that a large number of corresponding orders have already been received or that jerseys with the 44 are already in circulation. It is therefore with excitement that we can look forward to what will happen during the European Championships. It will be difficult to ban entry to stadiums with appropriate jerseys. Although the 44 is strongly reminiscent of the forbidden “SS” rune, the assumption that the wearer reads it that way is hardly a legal force.
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“SS” rune is on the list of forbidden symbols
Showing the “SS” rune in Germany is just as forbidden as the swastika. It is listed in the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution's brochure “Right-wing extremism: symbols, signs and banned organizations” and is referred to there as the “Siegrune”. According to Section 86a of the Criminal Code, it is a “symbolic sign whose distribution or use serves the purpose of enabling unconstitutional organizations to revive themselves unhindered despite their bans”.
The “SS” rune has become known as the symbol of the “Schutzstaffel”. During the Second World War, its members were involved in several war crimes, including so-called “purges”. These “actions” were ultimately nothing more than massacres of the civilian population. (
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