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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has criticised the England shirts that will be used at this year’s European Championship over their alteration of the St. George’s Cross and called for them to be changed before the tournament.
The shirts have been under the spotlight since they were launched on Monday and Starmer has said the multicoloured St George’s Cross printed on the collar should be changed back to the original white version.
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“I’m a big football fan, I go to England games, men, women’s games. And the flag is used by everybody, it’s unifying, it doesn’t need to change,” Starmer told The Sun.
“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 also weighed in and said he prefers the original flag.
“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,” Sunak said.
The shirts will be sold for £124.99 ($157) for adults and £119.99 ($151) for children.
Starmer’s comments come after former UKIP leader and broadcaster Nigel Farage labelled change to the cross as an “absolute joke.”
“It bears no relationship to the St George’s Cross whatsoever,” Farage said.
ESPN has reached out to Nike for comment.
However, British media reported on Friday that Nike had defended the new design, saying: “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.”
England will wear the new shirt for the first time against Brazil at Wembley on Saturday.