because of a detail of the new jersey, fans and politicians see red – Libération

A change made by Nike to the color of the St. George’s cross affixed to the collar of the Three Lions’ tunic caused controversy this Friday, March 22 on the other side of the Channel, up to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Don’t touch my kit. Since the presentation of the new England football team jersey that Gareth Southgate’s players will wear this summer at the Euro in Germany, it’s been a storm on the other side of the Channel this Friday, March 22. Listening to the comments, the American equipment manufacturer Nike would have dared to commit a crime of lèse-majesté towards the immaculate tunic of the Three Lions, and more particularly on the cross of the patron saint of England, Saint George.

However, on the players’ home jersey, it is, as usual, embroidered on the back of the navy blue collar. So far, nothing unusual. Except that for this new version, the red of the cross on a white background has changed into a gradient of blue, red and purple. Beyond the questionable aesthetic aspect, it is above all the attack on this national symbol which does not pass.

A “fun” modification before Euro 2024 scheduled for June, Nike defended, intended to “inspire and unite” fans. According to the American firm, the inspiration comes from the training kit worn by the victorious England team in the 1966 World Cup. That year, the English host team won the competition in a match legendary at Wembley against the West Germany. This jersey is the “modern version of a classic”, argued a spokesperson for the equipment manufacturer.

Although it is the only title ever won by the English national team, the pill does not pass. The idea of ​​the comma brand only succeeded in attracting the wrath of football fans, certain former players but also political leaders. Even Prime Minister Rishi Sunak himself. This Friday at the beginning of the afternoon, the head of the British government entered the field of controversy, siding with the discontented. In front of the press, the curator said he “preferred” the original flag and felt that it was better not to “touch” the national symbols. “They are a source of pride, of identity, they represent who we are and are perfect as such,” he defended.

Nigel Farage, the former leader of the Brexit Party and far-right politician, was quick to spit out his detestation of the new tunic, taking the opportunity to place a political tackle: “For once, our leaders are right. This flag must be changed,” he wrote in a message posted this Friday afternoon on X (formerly Twitter).

Opposition Labor leader Keir Starmer, whose progressive ideas are generally put in opposition to those of the ruling Conservatives, also asked Nike to “reconsider” the change in color of the St. George’s cross. “I’m a big football fan. […] and this flag is used by everyone, it is a symbol of unity. It should not be changed. We must be proud of it,” commented this Arsenal supporter to the Sun.

A precedent gone unnoticed

On X (formerly Twitter), however, an Internet user searched the locker room of the players of the English team. He found a previous tunic dating from 2011, made by the English brand Umbro, former equipment supplier of the Three Lions. On the shoulders of the home jersey, we can see a myriad of small St. George’s crosses. Some red, others dark green or even navy blue.

As for the goalkeepers’ jersey, notably worn by Joe Hart, the keeper of the time in the English goals, it is distinguished by a multitude of crosses of the patron saint of England, distributed both on the torso and on the sleeves. Green crosses, but not a trace of red on the horizon. The two outfits did not provoke such reactions at the time, a possible sign of the current tension over symbols and national identity.