Controversy Surrounds England’s New Nike Football Shirt Design with Multicolored St George’s Cross

Following the unveiling of the new England football shirt by Nike for Euro 2024, a storm of controversy has erupted over the design featuring a modified St George’s Cross with hues of purple and blue, prompting calls for a return to the traditional red.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, strongly criticized Nike’s alteration, emphasizing the importance of the flag as a unifying symbol that should not be tampered with.

The new kit, slated for debut in England’s upcoming friendly against Brazil, was marketed as a modern homage to past football heroes but sparked sharp criticism for its unconventional flag reinterpretation.

Reacting to the public outrage, Nike defended their color choices, citing inspiration from England’s 1966 World Cup victory and asserting that there were no plans for a recall of the kit.

Notable figures such as Nigel Farage, Lee Anderson, and Brendan Clarke-Smith condemned the design, with Farage labeling it an ‘absolute joke’ and Anderson decrying it as ‘virtue-signalling woke nonsense’.

The new Nike kits, priced at £124.99 for adults and £119.99 for children, will also be worn by the Lionesses and the England Para teams at Euro 2024.

Critics, including Conservative MP Clarke-Smith and comedian Jason Manford, have expressed disbelief at the design choice, with Manford suggesting a return to Umbro, the brand associated with England’s historic World Cup win.

This controversy adds to Nike’s prior Kit mishap involving the replica goalkeeper attire worn by Mary Earps, the Women’s World Cup standout and BBC Sports Personality of the Year.