The FA respond to calls from fans to scrap the new England kit over Nike’s ‘playful update’ with the St Georges cross.
The Prime Minister warned about against tampering with national flags following Nike’s alteration of the St George’s Cross colour on England’s new shirt.
The unveiling of England’s Euro 2024 kits this week features a white home kit and a purple away strip, but the row came when Nike announced the modification of the iconic red cross to include purple and blue stripes.
Nike referred to it as “a playful update” to the shirt for Euro 2024, drawing inspiration from the training kit worn by England’s 1966 World Cup champions.
The company dubbed it as “a playful update” to the shirt ahead of Euro 2024, inspired by the training kit worn by England’s 1966 World Cup winners.
A playful update to the 🏴 of St. George appears on the collar to unite and inspire. pic.twitter.com/lXEjXhbIJO
— Nike Football (@nikefootball) March 18, 2024
🚨 Nike say in statement that "it was never our intention to offend" with new England kit design and the "intention was to celebrate the heroes of 1966 and their achievements" pic.twitter.com/USqVgJaibs
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 22, 2024
Sky Sports News are informed that the initial sales of the Nike shirt have been exceptionally high. The adult version of the shirt is priced at £125, while the junior kit is available for £120.
Numerous prominent individuals, such as former England players, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, have voiced their disapproval of the decision to modify national flags.
An 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.”
Prime Minister Sunak put out a warning against “messing with” national flags, he argued the standards are “a source of pride, identity, who we are and they are perfect as we are”.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also called on Nike to “reconsider” its decision, as the symbol was a “unifier”.
While Labour’s shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry said it was “peculiar” and pointed out people wouldn’t expect the heraldic Welsh dragon to be swapped “to a pussycat” or the French tricolour to be changed.
BREAKING: The FA has no intention of recalling the new England shirt, Sky Sports News has been told, despite the ongoing controversy brought about by the decision to change the colours of the St George’s Cross. pic.twitter.com/gLTPJvARRN
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 22, 2024
Sunak said: “Obviously, I prefer the original and my general view is 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 are perfect as we are.”
Starmer 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.”
A petition on Change.org was set up and quickly done the rounds online, getting over 19,000 signatures by 10am on Friday morning.
The price of the kit has also been criticised. 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.
The Labour leader also called on Nike to reduce the price, while 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.”
Twitter users reacted as the FA respond to calls from fans to scrap the new England kit over Nike’s ‘playful update’…
@triffic_stuff_: Time for the players to make a stand about something actually worthwhile and the country will get behind them 🏴
@ScrapyDanNUFC: I don’t understand why Nike or the FA feel like they have the right to change the flag of a nation.
@PaulGardinerDJ: £120 a pop no one is going to buy it anyway!
@spaffbadger1: If everyone refuses to buy it they will change it, second it hits them in the pocket they will do something about it
@cjamr97: Simple then, just don’t buy it.
@DanRK: Embarrassing shirt and just as embarrassing decision! Nobody should buy this crap!
@macauleyrobert1: Absolute joke all I can say is don’t buy it the price tag for a start is a joke hit them where it hurts. Should be ashamed of themselves
@PReddog84: Shame on you @Nike and @FA. Absolute disgrace
@holder_mick: If the players have to wear that shirt and then they need to pull the collar up so you can’t see it and as for the fa they need to step down what they have done and the stance they are taking is indefensible 🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
@linda_goodey1: Disgraceful. But then that’s typical as they think oh it’s ok when the fuss has died down they’ll get used to it. Typical softies this country is. Can you see the other home nations putting up with it. Of course not 🤬
@denpapwp123: There’s only one thing that will make them change their mind. Don’t buy them.
@JamzSeward: Literally bigger problems with this country
@brayash24: Hope some of the squad come out and stand up to this nonsense. What a disgrace!!
@LFCt0dd: Yet another victory for the woke brigade 🎉🥳
@_DannyYoung1: It’s simple, just don’t buy it. Hit them where it hurts 💵
@AngryBilic: Just vote with your feet and boycott it @nikefootball
@LukeNoble10: It’s simple don’t buy the thing! Soon change there minds then 😂 put an old one on 👍
@Micks2B: This is just all a bit mad how much of an issue its become.. if you know it offends so many people just change it. I can see why people would be offended tbh. Its becoming more of an issue due to the arrogance not to accept the mistake and change it 🤷🏽♂️ plus its mad expensive.
@MickyMarsh69: There you have it, the @FA are clueless.
@richburge54: Absolute disgrace @FootballAssoc it’s a National flag you have no right to change it. More woke nonsense from an outdated and hopeless organisation. #PatheticFA
@andymasonirons: Time for fans too boycott @Nike and @FA merchandise till this is sorted 🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
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