The saga of the banned Italian Fiorentina Retro away shirt unfolded as a tale of controversy and surprise, ultimately marking its place in football history.

Fans were left in disbelief when they uncovered a notorious symbol embedded within the fabric of the football shirt.

This particular jersey, associated with one of the most contentious episodes in football lore, faced prohibition after fans stumbled upon a symbol closely linked with the Nazi Party, seemingly ‘accidentally’ woven into its design. In anticipation of the 1992/93 Serie A season, Italian club Fiorentina proudly presented their new away shirt, a collaboration with their kit manufacturer at the time, Lotto.

At first glance, the jersey, adorned with a prominent 7up sponsorship, appeared innocuous. It featured the club’s emblem, a plain background, and a striking purple motif.

However, after reportedly only being worn for four matches, the players found themselves barred from donning it on the field.

Fiorentina's infamous 'Swastika' kit, 1992/93. pic.twitter.com/F6lwZibZq9

— 90s Football (@90sfootball) November 30, 2019

According to reports, it wasn’t until December of the 1992/93 season that Fiorentina fans made a startling revelation: a symbol resembling a Swastika was discreetly embedded within the design. While suspicions arose that the inclusion of this symbol might have been intentional, the club issued a statement asserting it was merely a ‘coincidental optical effect.’ In response to the uproar among fans, Fiorentina swiftly withdrew the jersey, substituting it with an entirely different kit for their remaining away games that season. Most of the players’ shirts were purportedly destroyed, and many supporters discarded the controversial 1992/93 offering.

1992-1993 Fiorentina Away Retro Long Sleeves Shirt

Despite its tainted history, the limited remaining jerseys have become sought-after collector’s items. One such enthusiast, Tim Beddow, a sports memorabilia specialist from the Midlands, acquired one after Fiorentina played Aston Villa in a preseason friendly over three decades ago. In an interview with Birmingham Live in 2013, Beddow remarked on the intrigue surrounding the shirt, affirming its authenticity as a ‘player-worn’ garment, rather than a replica. He explained distinguishing features such as the professional, hand-pressed, machine-stitched badge, which sets apart authentic jerseys from replicas.

1992-1993 Fiorentina Away Retro Shirt

Reflecting on his prized possession, Beddow expressed curiosity about the player who wore the number four, underscoring the mystique that continues to shroud this controversial piece of football history.

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