X reacts to Nike’s ‘playful update’ to England flag on Euro 2024 kit

Few kits are released in the modern age to universal critical acclaim, but sometimes certain aesthetic choices provoke intense debate. That’s what Nike have done with their modification to the St George’s Cross on England’s Euro 2024 kit.

A post on X from the sportswear giant that read “A playful update to the 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 of St George appears on the collar to unite and inspire” has since been viewed 33.7 million times and counting. But what was the playful update that’s prompted such a divide ahead of the Three Lions’ trip to Germany this summer?

The flag of St George features a traditional red cross on a white background, with the new kit switched to purple and blue stripes.

A spokesperson for Nike revealed: “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.”

The reference to the 1966 squad, still the only England side to win a major international tournament, wasn’t enough to stop legions of social media users announcing their disapproval.

There were some, with faces pinker than a perfectly cooked joint of gammon, who had to let their feelings be known by the masses. Others poked fun and had a laugh with it, which is what we’re going to focus on instead.

If you really need to find out what the likes of Lee Anderson and Joey Barton think, hey; the search bar is waiting.

There is also the wider point of just how expensive the kits for Euro 2024 – not just England’s – are. A ‘standard’ adult version of the new Three Lions shirt will cost fans £84.99 with the junior equivalent set at £64.99. A child’s top comes in at £54.99, with £44.99 needed for the infant edition.

For those supporters who want a jersey closer to the real thing, adult and junior ‘match’ shirts are available for £124.99 and £119.99 respectively.

The England squad has been at the centre of a few culture wars with the British public in recent years, but how a group of fans have taken extreme offence at the colour change of the St George flag and not the egregious pricing is somewhat baffling.

At a time when some corners of society are struggling more than ever financially, specifically in the United Kingdom, the high cost means plenty of football fanatics will be priced out of a purchase.

Former Tottenham, Wolves and England Under-21 international and current talkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara was one of the dissenting voices on the kit. But then again, the Euro 2024 shirt is an undeniable upgrade on a top he donned on international duty which had a crisps manufacturer plastered on its front.

And hey, if you know, you know.

Maybe we should all just grow up a little bit, eh?