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England boss Gareth Southgate says having the Three Lions on the workforce’s shirt is “the most important thing” amid the controversy over the St George’s Cross design on the brand new package.
Kit designer Nike has modified the looks of the St George’s Cross on the again of the collar by including purple and blue to the standard crimson.
“It depends which bit it is because I don’t know if the debate is about the St George Flag needing to be on the England shirt because it hasn’t always been,” stated Southgate.
“The most important thing that has to be on an England shirt are the Three Lions. It’s our iconic symbol.
“It is what distinguishes us not solely from different soccer groups all over the world however England rugby and cricket.”
He added: “What you are actually asking is, ‘Should we be tampering with the cross of St George?’.
“In my head, if it’s not a red cross on a white background then it isn’t the cross of St George anyway. It’s presumably some artistic take which I’m not creative enough to understand.”
England play Brazil on Saturday (19:00 GMT) earlier than going through Belgium on Tuesday in two matches at Wembley and Southgate stated the furore had “not taken anything away from what we’ve been preparing”.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak and and Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer have each criticised the design.
The Football Association is standing by the design of the package and has no intention to recall or change it, saying the alteration to the St George’s Cross is “meant as a tribute to the 1966 World Cup-winning team”.
“It is not the first time that different coloured St George’s Cross-inspired designs have been used on England shirts,” stated the FA.
“We are very proud of the red and white St George’s Cross – the England flag.
“We perceive what it means to our followers, and the way it unites and evokes, and it is going to be displayed prominently at Wembley on Saturday – because it all the time is – when England play Brazil.”
Nike had described the design as a “playful replace” and the men’s team will debut the shirt when England host Brazil.
“We have been a proud accomplice of the FA since 2012 and perceive the importance and significance of the St George’s Cross and it was by no means our intention to offend, given what it means to England followers,” stated the sportswear producer.
“Together with the FA, the intention was to have fun the heroes of 1966 and their achievements.
“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 on the back of the collar.”
Much ado about nothing – Barnes
Former England worldwide John Barnes described the controversy in regards to the colors on the St George’s Cross as “much ado about nothing”.
“I didn’t even know there was a flag on the back anyway so I don’t know what the fuss is,” he stated.
“I think there would be a different conversation to be had if you were going to change the Three Lions because that’s what England is.
“They’re not altering the color of the shirt. The shirt is precisely the identical.
“If there were different Lions or they weren’t going to be on there – for me – that would have been a proper debate to be had.”
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