England’s Nike away kit has outsold the home strip for the first time ever following fan’s fury over the ‘playful update’ on the St George’s Cross.
Many supporters were outraged when the kit designer revealed England’s home kit had replaced the horizonal line on the traditional red cross with a navy blue, light blue and pink one.
The strip, which was launched ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany this summer, promised to ‘celebrate football heroes of the past with a modern twist’.
Now, high street giant JD Sports has revealed that for the first time ever the England away kit is selling more than the home kit.
Regis Schulz, chief executive of JD Sports, told The Sun: ‘It has only been two or three days of trading and so far it has been ok, but the one thing we are seeing is that the away shirt is selling better than the other one, when usually it would be the other way around.’
Politicians and supporters have slammed Nike for this year’s Euro 2024 England home kit
This is Jude Bellingham playing for England in their away kit against Belgium at Wembley on Tuesday, when he scored a last-minute equaliser
Mr Shulz also said the company had not sold out of the shirt yet.
‘It is early days. We have more shirts than normal, we had a bigger order so that might be why.’
The kits – which will also be worn by the Lionesses and England Para teams in 2024 – will cost fans £124.99 in adult sizes and £119.99 for kids.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer waded into the debate, saying: ‘The flag’s unifying, it doesn’t need to change. We just need to be proud of it. So I think they should just reconsider this and change it back.’
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also slammed Nike, saying he English flag is already ‘perfect’ after legends Peter Shilton and David Seaman decried the design and appalling £125 price tag.
Mr Sunak said: ‘Obviously I prefer the original, and my general view is that when it comes to our national flags, we shouldn’t mess with them. Because they are a source of pride, identity, who we are, and they’re perfect as they are.’
Peter Shilton was one of the the kit’s fiercest critics, adding: ‘This is wrong on every level. I’m totally against it. Including the price that Nike are going to charge.
‘If you’re going to put the St George’s Cross on a kit, which obviously Nike have done, then just put it on with the traditional colours. Like the Three Lions, it’s traditional.’
Many supporters were outraged when the kit designer revealed it had replaced the St George’s Cross
The FA and manufacturers Nike doubled down on the design claiming they have no plans to recall the jerseys
The kits – which will also be worn by the Lionesses and England Para teams in 2024 – will cost fans £124.99 in adult sizes and £119.99 for kids
Yesterday, it was even revealed how some sport shops are selling St George’s Cross iron-on transfers so fans can cover the controversial design on the new England football shirt.
Director at The Sports Shop, Grant Walters, is now selling heat transfers for £4.95 featuring the old St George’s Cross, so fans can cover up the new Nike version.
The transfers have gone on sale at his shops in Kingswinford and Stourbridge, in the West Midlands.
The FA said in a statement: ‘The new England 2024 home kit has a number of design elements which were meant as a tribute to the 1966 World Cup-winning team.
‘The coloured trim on the cuffs is inspired by the training gear worn by England’s 1966 heroes, and the same colours also feature on the design on the back of the collar.
‘It is not the first time that different coloured St George’s Cross-inspired designs have been used on England shirts.
‘We are very proud of the red and white St George’s cross – the England flag.’
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