April 2, (THEWILL)- The German Football Association (DFB) has announced plans to alter the typeface used for numbers on its national team shirts. The decision comes after the number four was likened to the insignia of the Nazi regime’s elite SS corps.
In a statement, the DFB revealed its process of submitting numbers 0-9 for approval to UEFA before jerseys are produced. “None of the parties involved saw any proximity to Nazi symbolism in the creation process,” they stated. However, the association aims to “not provide a platform for discussion” on the controversial resemblance.
Working alongside kit supplier Adidas, the DFB declared it will “develop an alternative design for the number four and coordinate it with UEFA.” Reports indicate Adidas had already removed number personalisation options from its website by Monday afternoon.
The number 44 was highlighted as bearing the most striking similarity to the SS logo. Consequently, deliveries of shirts featuring this numeral have been halted, according to German publication Bild. The new typeface debuted in recent friendlies as Germany prepares to host the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament this summer.
This development follows last month’s announcement that the DFB will part ways with long-time kit provider Adidas after the 2026/2027 season, instead partnering with Nike from 2027 onwards.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
