The German Football Federation (DFB) has welcomed swift action from sports goods makers Adidas to change the design of the number four on national team shirts in the wake of criticism that it resembled a Nazi symbol.
Women's national team player Bibiane Schulze Solano wore the new-look number when she came on as a substitute in Friday's 3-2 win in Austria in a Euro 2025 qualifier.
"We are very happy that it worked out, FIFA has also given its approval," the DFB said on Saturday, referring to the world governing body FIFA.
Social media users had criticised the design of the new shirts because the number resembled the runes used for the SS (Schutzstaffel), a major paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.
Adidas and the DFB last weekend stopped selling personalised shirts with the number 44 online. The DFB announced a change in design on Monday, and said that work started right the next day to have the shirts ready for Friday's game.
