Controversy Over German Football Team's Pink Uniform... "Why Not Sell High Heels Too?"

New National Team Uniform Sparks Fierce Controversy... "Disregards Tradition"
"Just Marketing," Critics Say... Players Respond "Cool"

The German national football team’s recently unveiled pink new uniform has sparked intense controversy among football fans. While many mock it as a disregard for tradition, there are also numerous supportive reactions emphasizing acceptance of diversity.

The German Football Association (DFB) officially revealed the new uniform for the upcoming European Football Championship (Euro 2024), which will be held at home this summer, via X (formerly Twitter) on the 14th (local time).

The new away uniform of the national team released by the German Football Association (DFB)
[Image source=Official DFB X (formerly Twitter)]

The home uniform, featuring a white top with white shorts and socks, was seen as somewhat traditional, but the away uniform, blending pink and purple, became a subject of controversy.

The German football team has long worn green uniforms for away matches. Since the 2000s, red and black?colors included in the national flag?have also been introduced. Because of this, local media described the new away uniform as an "unexpected shock" and "bold and surprising."

Adidas, the manufacturer of the uniform, explained that it "symbolizes a new generation of football fans and Germany’s diversity."

However, many fans ridiculed the unprecedented bold color choice as a betrayal of tradition and found it ridiculous. By the morning of the 16th, the DFB’s X post had received over 1,400 comments. Most criticisms targeted the away uniform, with remarks such as "Are you trying to turn the football team into a ballet troupe?" "Are you selling high heels and handbags too?" and "Change the national flag to a rainbow flag."

Brand expert Marcel Roco told the news outlet Spiegel, "It seems like they are trying to act 'cool,'" adding, "Neglecting core values and symbols could cause communication problems."

Julian Nagelsmann, head coach of the German national football team, holding the new away uniform
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The daily S?ddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) commented, "The marketing department probably wanted more female fans to invest 100 euros (about 140,000 KRW) in buying the uniform," adding, "Some fans feel their masculinity is being attacked." The online media Tion also pointed out, "The DFB, which recorded a deficit of 33.5 million euros (about 48.6 billion KRW) last year, is aiming for success through extreme marketing."

However, within the national team, the atmosphere toward the new away uniform is positive. Julian Nagelsmann, head coach of the German national football team, cited research showing that goalkeepers wearing flashy uniforms perceive the goalposts as narrower, saying, "The controversy that has already arisen shows that it was the right decision."

Florian Wirtz, a national team player from Bayer Leverkusen, also praised it, saying, "The home uniform is a typical German uniform, but the away uniform is cool and something special."