Adidas to block sale of Germany jerseys with number 44 over Nazi link

Athletic apparel manufacturer Adidas intends to adjust the sale of Germany national team jerseys with the number 44 in response to criticism of the design, which is reminiscent of a Nazi symbol.

"We will block the personalization of the jerseys in our online store," Adidas spokesman Oliver Brüggen told dpa.

Social media users recently noticed that the number 44 in the new design, presented last month, looks like the logo of the Schutzstaffel (SS), a major paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.

Adidas was sharply criticized, but Brüggen said that "the German Football Federation (DFB) and its partner 11teamsports are responsible for the design of the names and numbers."

The DFB was asked for a statement on Monday.

As of early Monday afternoon, the jersey could still be personalized with the number 44 in the Adidas online shop.

Certain names relating to the National Socialism cannot be ordered. "This does not comply with our guidelines for personalization. Please try something else," appears as a message when making a selection.

"People from around 100 nations work at Adidas, our company stands for the promotion of diversity and inclusion, and as a company we actively oppose xenophobia, anti-Semitism, violence and hatred in any form," Brüggen said.

"Any attempts to promote divisive or marginalizing views are not part of our values as a brand." The company "firmly rejects any suggestion that this was our intention."