German football fans barred from personalising kits over ‘Nazi symbolism’

German football fans barred from personalising kits over ‘Nazi symbolism’

German football fans have been blocked from buying kits for the national team customised with the number 44 because of a resemblance to a symbol used by Nazi SS units.

The German Football Association (DFB) said on Monday it would change the typeface on the shirts.

“The DFB checks the numbers 0-9 and then submits the numbers 1-26 to UEFA for review,” the football association said in a statement.

“None of the parties involved saw any proximity to Nazi symbolism in the creation process,” the DFB said.

Nonetheless, the sporting body said it did not want to “provide a platform for discussion”.

“Together with our partner 11teamsports, we will develop an alternative design for the number four and coordinate it with UEFA,” the DFB said.

Kit provider Adidas removed shirt personalisation options for the German strip from its website on Monday afternoon, Bild newspaper reported.

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