Ex-England striker Chris Sutton has slammed Nike for updating the colours of the St. George's Cross on the back of England's new shirt.

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Nike made a 'playful update' to England jerseyChris Sutton feels it is a 'load of b******s''Fans term the move as 'woke'WHAT HAPPENED?

Nike's unveiling of the Euro 2024 jersey for the England football team has stirred controversy, with criticism directed at the alteration of the iconic St. George's Cross. The new kit, launched ahead of the tournament in Germany, aimed to blend tradition with modernity, but it has instead ignited a storm of disapproval.

The home jersey features a classic white design with blue trim, reminiscent of England's historic kits. However, it's the redesign of the St. George's Cross on the collar has drawn widespread condemnation. Nike described it as a "playful update" intended to "unite and inspire," but critics argue that it deviates significantly from the original design.

@England Football

AdvertisementWHAT CHRIS SUTTON SAID

Chris Sutton, host of 'It's All Kicking Off,' lambasted Nike's approach, along with co-host Ian Ladyman, labelling it as "b******s" and questioned the rationale behind altering a national symbol.

Ladyman began: "One thing that has triggered people in relation to the New England kit this morning is the way the Cross of St George has been positioned and redesigned on the collar. Nike, the kit manufacturer, say on their own website described this as 'a playful update to the flag of St. George appears on the collar to unite and inspire'. Now, if you're confused about that, Chris is laughing, if you're confused by that…"

Sutton swooped in to say: "It's such a load of b*****s though isn't it? To unite and what? Inspire. To unite and inspire by changing a flag? So it's not the Cross of St George."

Ladyman retorted: "If I can explain it, if you imagine the traditional cross of St. George, a red cross, the design that appears on the rear collar of the England shirt is or has a red vertical strand, as you would expect. But the horizontal strand of the cross is not red, it's two shades of blue and purple. I know that sounds hard, but there's images all over the internet already about it. Chris, you have seen it. What are your thoughts?"

Sutton replied: "It's not the Cross of St. George, is it? I do understand that there will be people out there who will say it's not representative when it's on an England jersey and shouldn't represent an England jersey. I do understand that. I'm not gonna get angry about that, but for heaven's sake, could the FA have not just, you know… explained? Why would you even need to explain the importance of getting the right flag? It isn't representative of an England jersey. I mean, it's like, on The Apprentice with Lord Sugar, when they get sent out to do tasks, and it looks like a massive cock-up."

FANS LABEL IT AS WOKE NONSENSE

The controversy has also spilled into the political arena, with Reform UK MP Lee Anderson denouncing the move as "virtue signaling woke nonsense."

Speaking to the s, Mr Anderson said: "The left have a nerve to ask me why I want my country back. This virtue signalling, namby-pamby, pearl-clutching woke nonsense must stop. Any more of this and I'll be on the first flight to Rwanda."

Many fans shared Anderson's opinion as they also raised their voice against Nike.

Comedian Jason Manford wrote: "Oh dear…this is not gonna go down well! what a weird thing to do tho! A US company having a cheeky play with another countries flag, let's go back to Umbro I say, we won the World Cup in that kit."

Another X user added: "Disgraceful. The St George's Cross is the sacred icon of the English nation & people. Why have we allowed Nike, a US brand that produces these shirts with sweatshop labour, to defile our national flag? Why is England so ashamed of itself that it won't get into uproar about this?"

NIKE & FA REMAIN FIRM ON THEIR STANCE

Despite the backlash, Nike has stood firm on its decision, with no plans to alter the jersey. The sportswear giant defended the redesign, emphasizing its modern interpretation of a classic emblem.

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."

The Football Association (FA) has thrown its support behind the kit, emphasizing its ties to England's footballing history, particularly the iconic 1966 World Cup victory. It has been reported that the kit entered into the production cycle two years ago and any alternation to the existing kit would take at least six to nine months to create and distribute.

@England Football