Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has criticised both the FA and Nike for changing the St George's flag on England's new home strip.
The Three Lions revealed their new home and away kits this week, ready for the Euros this summer, but not everyone is happy about it. Instead of the usual red and white cross on the collar, the kit makers have put navy, blue and purple stripes, calling it a "playful update" to "unite and inspire".
But fans aren't just upset about the change, they're also shocked at the price - the shirts cost £124.99 for adults and a whopping £119.99 for children.
READ MORE: Alex Le Tissier tells England fans upset about St George's Cross on kit to 'cry harder'
READ MORE: England football fans can now buy 'instant classic' shirts ahead of Euro 2024
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Nike Shop hereSir Keir thinks the St George's flag brings people together and urged Nike reconsider the change, reports the Mirror. Speaking to The Sun, Starmer insisted the England flag was something to be proud of.
"I'm a big football fan, I go to England games, men, women's games," he said, "and the flag is used by everybody, it's unifying, it doesn't need to change.
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"We just need to be proud of it. So I think they should just reconsider this and change it back. I'm not even sure they can properly explain why they thought they needed to change in the first place. They could also reduce the price of the shirts."
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed with Starmer, saying: "When it comes to our national flags, we shouldn't mess with them because they're a source of pride, identity, who we are, and they're perfect as they are."
A Nike spokesperson said: "The England 2024 home kit disrupts history with a modern take on a classic. 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 of St George on the back of the collar."
Nike isn't going to take back the new home kit. They say the flag design is a nod to the 1966 World Cup winners' training kit, which had red, blue, and purple.
Comedian and telly star Jason Manford wasn't happy about the flag change. He tweeted, "Oh dear... this is not gonna go down well! " and added, "What a weird thing to do though! A US company having a cheeky play with another country's flag."
But not everyone's upset about it. Some fans think the new England kit looks cool and retro. One fan said: "The England Home is giving retro, and I love it," and another said: "It's nothing like the last one. This one has retro vibes. It's hard to make an all-white kit have major changes."
Another social media user was excited, saying: "Happy Nike international release day guys! Starting with England, the home [kit] keeps things simple and retro - a bit of USA vibes but a classy kit nonetheless.
"As for the away it's bold it's purple and it's got gold accents. Hopefully, the gold is a sign it's coming home."
Gareth Southgate's team will wear the new gear in their next games against Brazil and Belgium.
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