FA defends controversial Nike England flag design, saying it is tribute to 1966 World Cup winners
What Nike called a 'playful update' to the red-and-white flag of St George, has sparked fury among fans - and politicians, Lewis Warner reports
The Football Association is standing by a controversial design of the St George's Cross on the new England shirt despite growing criticism.
The shirt’s manufacturer Nike has altered the appearance of the St George’s Cross using purple and blue horizontal stripes in what it called a “playful update” to the shirt ahead of Euro 2024.
The FA said it was “very proud” of the red and white St George’s Cross but said the new look was meant as a tribute to the 1966 World Cup-winning team.
The redesigned England flag has not gone down well with some politicians and fans.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak waded in on the growing row, saying he "prefers the original" shirt, while Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Nike should consider changing the emblem back to its usual form, arguing it is "something to be proud of".
Speaking to reporters in Derbyshire, the prime minister said: "Obviously I prefer the original, and my general view is that when it comes to our national flags, we shouldn't mess with them. "Because they are a source of pride, identity, who we are, and they're perfect as they are."
Sir Keir told The Sun: “I’m a big football fan, I go to England games, men and women’s games, and the flag is used by everybody. It is a unifier. It doesn’t need to be changed. We just need to be proud of it.
“So, I think they should just reconsider this and change it back. I’m not even sure they can properly explain why they thought they needed to change it in the first place.”
In response to the controversary, a FA spokesperson said: “The new England 2024 home kit has a number of design elements which were meant as a tribute to the 1966 World Cup-winning team.
“The coloured trim on the cuffs is inspired by the training gear worn by England’s 1966 heroes, and the same colours also feature on the design on the back of the collar. It is not the first time that different coloured St George’s Cross-inspired designs have been used on England shirts.
“We are very proud of the red and white St George’s cross – the England flag. We understand what it means to our fans, and how it unites and inspires, and it will be displayed prominently at Wembley tomorrow – as it always is – when England play Brazil.”
Some football fans have accused Nike of "wokery" by altering the symbol. Among those angered by the move is Reform Party MP Lee Anderson, who previously boycotted Euro 2020 matches over players' decisions to take the knee as a gesture against racism.
A petition on Change.org calling for a design change had already attracted 17,000 signatures by 9.20am on Friday morning.
On the new kit, he told the Express: “This virtue signalling, namby-pamby, pearl-clutching woke nonsense must stop. Any more of this and I'll be on the first flight to Rwanda.”
Some football pundits and fans have also criticised the price of the shirt. An “authentic” version costs £124.99 for adults and £119.99 for children while a “stadium” version is £84.99 and £64.99 for children. Sir Keir also called on Nike to reduce the price. A Nike spokesperson previously told media outlets: “The England 2024 home kit disrupts history with a modern take on a classic. “The trim on the cuffs takes its cues from the training gear worn by England’s 1966 heroes, with a gradient of blues and reds topped with purple. The same colours also feature an interpretation of the flag of St George on the back of the collar.”
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A Nike spokesperson previously told media outlets: “The England 2024 home kit disrupts history with a modern take on a classic.
“The trim on the cuffs takes its cues from the training gear worn by England’s 1966 heroes, with a gradient of blues and reds topped with purple. The same colours also feature an interpretation of the flag of St George on the back of the collar.”