The Football Association (FA) has stood firm in defense of the new England kit design, which incorporates a modified St. George’s Cross. This design, created by Nike, introduces purple and blue horizontal stripes alongside the traditional red and white elements of the St. George’s Cross.
Despite facing criticism from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, the FA has maintained its support for the design. Both Sunak and Starmer have expressed reservations about the alteration, with Sunak cautioning Nike against tampering with the flag and Starmer urging the company to reconsider the design.
However, the FA has underscored the design’s tribute to the 1966 World Cup-winning team, pointing out that the England 2024 home kit incorporates several elements inspired by the team’s attire. For instance, the colored trim on the cuffs and the design on the back of the collar draw inspiration from the training gear worn by the 1966 heroes, featuring a gradient of blues and reds topped with purple.
It’s worth noting that variations of the St. George’s Cross-inspired designs have been used on England shirts in the past.
Nike, in response to the controversy, has stated that it never intended to cause offense with the design. The company emphasized its appreciation for the significance of the St. George’s Cross to England fans and described the modification as a “playful update.” Nike has been a proud partner of the FA since 2012.
Despite the debate surrounding the design, the new England kits are now available for purchase, with prices ranging from £84.99 to £124.99 for adults and £64.99 to £119.99 for children. The FA has expressed its pride in the red and white St. George’s Cross, acknowledging its role in uniting and inspiring fans. During England’s match against Brazil, the kits will prominently display the St. George’s Cross at Wembley.
FA defends England kit over St George's Cross design saying "it is not the first time" different colours have been used https://t.co/1RLVZcipGN
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) March 22, 2024
The discussion over the kit design has spilled over onto social media platforms, with a petition on Change.org garnering over 21,000 signatures on the day of the announcement. Some argue that the debate is blown out of proportion, with former national team star John Barnes suggesting that the focus should be on the national flag itself rather than its alteration for sportswear.
In summary, the FA has defended the new England kit design, highlighting its homage to the 1966 World Cup-winning team and the incorporation of traditional colors inspired by the team’s attire. Despite criticism and public backlash, both the FA and Nike remain steadfast in their support of the design, with Nike clarifying that no offense was intended. The kits, featuring the modified St. George’s Cross, are now on sale, with the FA reaffirming its pride in the national flag and its significance to England fans.
