Mar 22, 2024, 04:41 AM ET
The Football Association (FA) have defended the new England shirt that will be used at this year’s European Championship after political criticism over the alteration of the St. George’s Cross.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer have criticised the jersey and called for it to be changed before the tournament.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
The shirts have been under the spotlight since they were launched on Monday. The FA said on Friday that the design pays tribute to England’s World Cup-winning squad from 1966.
“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,” an FA spokesperson said.
“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.”
Nike have opted for a multicoloured St George’s Cross. Nike
The spokesperson added that the FA has no intention of recalling or redesigning the shirts, according to ESPN sources.
British media reported on Friday that Nike had also defended the new design, saying it “disrupts history with a modern take on a classic.”
ESPN has reached out to Nike for further comment.
Starmer had said the multicoloured St George’s Cross printed on the collar should be changed back to the original white version.
“I’m a big football fan, I go to England games, men, women’s games. And the flag is used by everybody, it’s unifying, it doesn’t need to change,” Starmer told The Sun.
“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 in the first place. They could also reduce the price of the shirts.”
Sunak weighed in by saying he prefers the original flag.
“When it comes to our national flags, we shouldn’t mess with them because they’re a source of pride, identity, who we are, and they’re perfect as they are,” Sunak said.
The shirts will be sold for £124.99 ($157) for adults and £119.99 ($151) for children. England will wear the new shirt for the first time against Brazil at Wembley on Saturday.
