An Innocent Sponsor Turned Into A Not So Innocent One
At first glance, Fiorentina’s shirt seemed unremarkable. It featured a mostly white body with the club’s 7up logo prominently displayed in the center, while the top third and shoulders were adorned with a peculiar purple pattern. Initially, fans had no major complaints about the kit. However, after a few months of wear in Serie A, observers began to notice something unsettling about the design. The pattern unintentionally resembled the swastika, a symbol infamously associated with the Nazis, sparking outrage among football supporters.
The Response by Lotto & Fiorentina
While Fiorentina and the kit’s designer, Lotto, insisted the similarity was unintentional, outrage ensued. The club acted swiftly, banning the shirt to prevent further offense. Surprisingly, it took until December 1992 for fans to raise concerns about the design, prompting an official statement from the club. A spokesperson emphasized that the resemblance was purely coincidental.
The Introduction Of The New Shirt
Fiorentina switched to a different shirt for the remainder of the season, and the controversial shirt was quickly removed from sale. Despite this, a few remain in circulation and are now considered collector’s items. The episode highlights the delicate balance of design in sports apparel, where a misjudged aesthetic can lead to significant backlash.