UK PM says 'don't mess with flag' after uproar at Nike's new England football kit

LONDON: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday (Mar 22) waded into a row over a new England football shirt sold by Nike that changes the colours of the St George's Cross, saying "we shouldn't mess" with national flags.

The US sportswear firm revealed it had altered the cross, the flag of England, using purple and blue horizontal stripes in what it called a "playful update" ahead of Euro 2024, which starts in June.

Nike said the colours on the back of the collar - different from the traditional red cross - were inspired by the training kit worn by England's 1966 World Cup winners.

But the decision has led to a furious backlash from some fans and former players, with leading politicians adding their voices.

Sunak - a fan of Championship side Southampton - said he "prefers the original" England shirt.

"My general view is that when it comes to our national flags, we shouldn't mess with them," he told reporters. "Because they are a source of pride, identity, who we are, and they're perfect as they are."

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, whose remit includes sport, said the Football Association and its kit partner had failed to put supporters first.

"Fans should always come first, and it's clear that this is not what fans want," she said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Our national heritage - including St George's Cross - brings us together. Toying with it is pointless and unnecessary."

Keir Starmer, the leader of Britain's main opposition Labour party and an Arsenal supporter, called on Nike to "reconsider" its decision to modify the St George's Cross.

"I'm a big football fan, I go to England games, men and women's games, and the flag is used by everybody. It is a unifier. It doesn't need to be changed. We just need to be proud of