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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is not a fan of the new England jersey

Photo: Darren Staples / AFP

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has intervened in the discussion about the new jersey for the England national football team. The reason for the controversy is the St. George's Cross on the collar of the jersey. In addition to the traditional color red, US manufacturer Nike also used shades of blue and purple. The national flag should “not be tampered with,” said Sunak.

Last Monday the new jerseys, which will also be worn at the upcoming European Championships in Germany, were presented. As Nike announced at the presentation, the "Saint George's Cross" has been given a "playful update" to "unite and inspire."

Some fans and former players then expressed criticism. As of Friday afternoon, a petition calling for a change to the jersey had collected 22,000 signatures. Sunak also stated that he “prefers the original.” "My general opinion is that we should not tamper with our national flags," he told reporters, "because they are a source of pride and our identity. They’re perfect just the way they are.”

"Playing with it is pointless and unnecessary"

Lucy Frazer, British Minister of Culture, had previously made her opinion on the jersey clear. "The fans should always come first, and it's obvious that this is not what the fans want," she wrote on X. The George Cross is a national heritage and brings people together. »Playing with it is pointless and unnecessary.«

Former goalkeeper Peter Shilton, England's most capped player, told the BBC that he was a traditionalist and against the changes.

There is also currently a lot of discussion about US giant Nike in Germany. After more than 70 years of partnership with Adidas, the German Football Association (DFB) announced on Thursday that it would be equipped by Nike from 2027. A step that met with criticism in politics. According to information from the Handelsblatt, Nike will pay around 100 million euros annually until 2034, significantly more than the DFB currently receives from Adidas.

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