FA make decision on recalling controversial England kit as official statement released

The FA has come to a decision over whether to recall England's new kit for Euro 2024 amid controversy over its design.

England's new kit officially went on sale on Thursday ahead of the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

But the design of the home shirt has caused controversy.

The new kit features a St George's cross on the back of the collar, with different colours to the typical red design.

The horizontal cross of the flag instead also features navy, blue and purple.

This has prompted criticism from some football fans, with users on X branding it 'disrespectful' and 'insulting'.

Kit manufacturers Nike have released an official statement, explaining the decision behind the redesign.

"The England 2024 Home kit disrupts history with a modern take on a classic," said a Nike spokesperson.

"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."

Politicians have waded into the row over the kit, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak saying manufacturers "should not mess" with England's flag.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Sir Kier Starmer urged Nike to change the design.

"I'm a big football fan, I go to England games, men, women's games. And the flag is used by everybody, it's unifying, it doesn't need to change," Starmer told The Sun.

The kit features a controversial redesign of St George's cross (Image: Getty)

"We just need to be proud of it. So I think they should just reconsider this and change it back. I'm not even sure they can properly explain why they thought they needed to change in the first place."

However, the FA has now released a statement confirming the kit won't be recalled and will be worn by England's men's team when they face Brazil at Wembley on Saturday.

"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," read an official statement.

"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. We understand what it means to our fans, and how it unites and inspires, and it will be displayed prominently at Wembley tomorrow – as it always is – when England play Brazil."