The German Football Association has been accused of a lack of patriotism after its decision to remove Adidas as the main supplier of national team uniforms.
Politicians and soccer journalists expressed shock and disdain on Friday after it was revealed that the contract would be handed over from German company Adidas to American brand Nike from 2027.
“It is almost impossible to imagine a German jersey without the three stripes,” said Robert Habeck, Germany's deputy chancellor and economy minister. “For me, Adidas and black, red and gold have always gone together. It's part of the German identity.”
Germany's top politician added that he would have liked the football association's decision to reflect “a little more local patriotism”.
Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Soeder said that Adidas' representation of the German national team was “as clear as the fact that the ball is round and the match lasts 90 minutes.”
“The success story began in 1954 with an unforgettable World Cup victory that gave our country confidence again. That is why it is wrong, regrettable and understandable that this story should end now. You can’t,” he added.
Also, in the German tabloid Bild, soccer commentator and analyst Alfred Draxler said, “Germany and Adidas are like Germany and beer.''
Meanwhile, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said the decision was “wrong” and warned it could “destroy parts of tradition and family.”
According to German media reports, Nike has successfully offered €100m (£86m) to take over the kit supply, double the amount offered by Adidas, ending the 70-year partnership between the sports brand and the German national team. They say they have ended their relationship.
German football association DFB defended the decision as financially prudent and said it supports grassroots football. “Nike made its best financial offer to date in a transparent and non-discriminatory bidding process,” the company said.
This comes as the English Football Association defends the new England kit amid a backlash over Nike's decision to change the color of the St George's Cross. The new design introduced purple and blue stripes, prompting Chancellor Rishi Sunak to complain that “colors shouldn't be messed with”.
“Of course I prefer the original,” Sunak said.
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