NIKE have spoken out to insist they “never intended to offend anyone” over the controversial new England kit.
Adding purple to the St George’s Flag has divided opinion – with Three Lions‘ legends plus Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer among those opposing the change.
But other observers point out there have been flag alterations in the past, such as with the Team GB outfit for the London 2012 Olympics.
Now Nike have released a statement ahead of the kit’s debut against Brazil on Saturday night, saying “it was never our intention to offend”.
The manufacturer added the “intention was to celebrate the heroes of 1966 and their achievements” with a “playful” new design.
Both Nike and the FA also stress there are no plans to adjust the kit as Euro 2024 approaches.
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Peter Shilton, England’s most capped men’s player ever, has been one of the the kit’s fiercest critics.
The 74-year-old said: “This is wrong on every level. I’m totally against it. Including the price that Nike are going to charge.
“It’s woke. If you’re going to put the St George’s Cross on a kit, which obviously Nike have done, then just put it on with the traditional colours. Like the Three Lions, it’s traditional.”
Fellow ex-Three Lions keeper David Seaman agreed.
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The Arsenal icon said: “It doesn’t need fixing. What’s next, are they going to change the Three Lions to three cats?
“Leave it alone. It’s the St George’s Flag. I’m sure that if they’d approached the lads and asked them about it, they would have said no.”
Meanwhile, Sunak said: “Obviously I prefer the original, and my general view is that 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’re perfect as they are.”
The FA said in a statement: “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.”
However, many supporters are outraged by a huge increase in the price of the kit.
A standard England shirt will cost £84.99 – £20 more than three years ago for the Euro 2020 final.
A junior version from the official England online store sets fans back £64.99.
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And the charge for a lightweight, quick-drying, so-called “authentic” top has raised even more eyebrows.
It costs £124.99 for the adult shirt and just £5 less for the junior size.
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Ian Tuckey
