The head-turning multicoloured St George's cross on the new
England kit certainly caused a backlash - and Mirror readers are largely divided over the whole controversy. Thousands of you voted in our poll Should Nike change the colour of the flag on the England kit? A sizeable 845 said yes - change it, while a healthy 679 said no, leave it multicoloured. Nike recently unveiled their new designs ahead of Euro 2024, with the decision to change the colours on the St George's cross setting the cat among the pigeons. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer both criticised the design, while England boss Gareth Southgate also weighed in . "My view is if it's not white with a red cross it's not the St George's flag," Southgate said. "If it's changed then it isn't the flag of St George! So I'm a little bit lost with that element of it. I think they can put a quirky design together but you can't say it's the flag of St George because it isn't." The furore reached such a peak, the
Football Association (FA) are planning to change the approvals process for England kits in the future. Last week the Telegraph reported that England's kit for the 2026
World Cup will be 'subject to a new vetting process'. It is claimed the FA are planning an 'urgent overhaul of how England strips are approved'. In response to the controversy, 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." The FA are planning to overhaul their approvals process for future England kits ( Image: England Football) Nike have also released a statement about the kit, insisting it was "never our intention to offend" by changing the colours of the St George's cross. "We have been a proud partner of the FA since 2012 and understand the significance and importance of the St George's cross and it was never our intention to offend, given what it means to England fans," they said. "Together with the FA, the intention was to celebrate the heroes of 1966 and their achievements. 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 on the back of the collar." 'This is England, not Australia or America - ENGLAND!' Many of you commented on our story about the new kit. Here's just a sample of what some of you had to say: Idopas: "Only to England would this be done. Woke England. They would not dare try it on the Scots or Welsh." Shunt1990: "It’s a tiny cross on the back. [The shirt] still has three lions on the front, didn’t the
London Olympics include different coloured versions of the Union Jack? Where were the complaints then?" Bella257781: "We should keep our flag, what else is going to be changed or wiped out? Do other countries change things and get rid of things like ours?" Britjay: "Well I won’t be buying! Another example of a small so called ‘woke’ community around the Nike office using a megaphone to force this agenda down our necks." Yesmikestevie: "The identity of this once great country will be gone within ten years. We are slowly sleepwalking in to oblivion." Fox2247: "Nooooo keep [the flag] as it is. This is England, not America, not Australia , not
Sweden - England!" Nannyogg: "Vote with the feet and wallet. don't buy it." This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more England Euro 2024 kit launch - Mirror Buy England's Euro 2024 kit From £84.99 The Three Lions are among the favourites to win this summer's Euro 2024 tournament and you can get your hands on the brand new Nike home and away kits before the first whistle. Nike Shop here