Nike has enraged England football fans online after appearing to change the colours of the St George Cross.
On the horizontal stripe of the cross, the colours become bars of navy, light blue and purple – perhaps in a nod to the rainbow LGBT flag – in what Nike called a "playful" update.
Despite being revealed on Monday, the change was only picked up on yesterday afternoon and has led to immediate social media fury.
Among the critics were Reform MP Lee Anderson, former EDL leader Tommy Robinson and Nigel Farage.
A playful update to the 🏴 of St. George appears on the collar to unite and inspire. pic.twitter.com/lXEjXhbIJO
— Nike Football (@nikefootball) March 18, 2024
Leading the charge, Reform UK MP Lee Anderson blasted: “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.”
"Looks nothing like our flag"
Tory MP Brendan Clarke Smith told the Express that the design “looks nothing like our flag”.
The plain-speaking patriot fumed: “Maybe somebody in the design department misheard Three Lions and instead went for three lines on a shirt.
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 🏴 ⚽️ 😘 🏆 https://t.co/2v5TURWUtm
— Jason Manford (@JasonManford) March 20, 2024
Recommended reading:
- Soccer Aid reveals first confirmed players for 2024 including I'm A Celeb winner
- 'They're unreal' - England reveal new home and away kits for 2024 Euros
- Gareth Southgate defends going public with Ben White’s England rejection
“I’m not sure what this is supposed to be, but it certainly looks nothing like our flag and I’m not sure it needs an ‘update’ either.
“That said, I doubt they’ll shift many at those sort of prices.”
Even comedian Jason Manford got in on the act: "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".
Others took the chance to read through the initial Nike thread and "laugh at the gammons".
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel