England kit 2024: Joe Cole hits out at FA’s “incompetence” over St George’s Cross
Former England star Joe Cole has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the new England kit, accusing the Football Association of “incompetence” over the situation
Joe Cole has hit out at the Football Association’s “incompetence” following the controversy over England’s new shirt.
Manufacturers Nike released their new designs last weekend ahead of Euro 2024, with their decision to change the colours on the St George’s cross sparking major backlash. Both Nike and the FA have defended the change, claiming the move was an attempt to pay tribute to England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad.
An FA spokesperson said : “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.”
- However, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer have both criticised the design. England manager Gar
eth Southgate also weighed in on the controversy, stating: “People don’t think we should change the flag of St George’s flags on the kit before and we haven’t.
“If it’s changed then it isn’t the flag of St George! So I’m a little bit lost with that element of it. I think they can put a quirky design together but you can’t say it’s the flag of St George .
And Cole, who made 56 appearances for the Three Lions, hit out at the FA over the shirt and branded it “overpriced” with an ‘authentic’ version costing fans £124.99 and a standard shirt costing £84.99.
“From a footballing perspective, it’s the last thing that Gareth will want to deal with,” Cole told Channel 4. “I thought he dealt with it unbelievably well. He talked about the fact we had St George’s flags on the kit
Someone at the FA… I think a bit of incompetence has come in because you want a lovely kit that’s at a reasonable price. The kit is overpriced at the moment, in my opinion.
“Somebody at the FA should have gone, ‘You know what, that could be perceived as this. Gareth doesn’t need it. The lads don’t need it. Let’s just concentrate on the football’. That hasn’t happened. It’s not a big deal in the scheme of things.”
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