England fans last night displayed a huge St George’s Cross at Wembley in a ‘massive statement’ amid a row over the football team’s ‘woke‘ kit design.
Thousands of supporters in the East Stand held up red or white cards shortly before the start of England’s match against Brazil in an apparent response to Nike’s controversial redesign of the flag on the team’s new shirt.
The back of the cards – whose display was organised by the under-fire Football Association – urged fans to ‘raise the flag’ in a show of support that ‘will be seen by millions of fans watching on TV around the country’.
Nike has faced a barrage of criticism after designing a multi-coloured flag for the back of the collar of England’s kit for this summer’s European Championship.
The sportswear giant described the motif as a ‘playful update to the flag of St George’.
Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer were among those who condemned the new kit, while England manager Gareth Southgate said the design could not be described as the St George’s Cross as it is not red and white.
Despite the controversy, Nike has reportedly refused to rule out ‘messing with’ the flag again for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada.
Last night it was claimed the FA will modify its approval process for kits, in what appears to be an admission it misjudged the strength of feeling among fans.
The FA will ensure ‘more eyes are across the approval process’ for future kits, the Daily Telegraph has reported. It is understood the now departed former FA commercial director Navin Singh was responsible for approving the new Three Lions jersey.
A source close to Mr Singh, who quit the FA last year to become chief commercial officer at Six Nations Rugby, has denied that he was solely responsible for the sign off.
Douglas Bagley, one of the fans who took part in yesterday’s display, said: ‘It matters to me and thousands of other fans.’