8 months ago
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ENGLAND legend Peter Shilton has slammed Team GB’s ‘diverse’ pink and purple Union Jack.
The former goalkeeper – who boasts 125 caps for the Three Lions – told The Sun “nothing is held sacred” amid the re-brand ahead of this year’s Paris Olympics.
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PAThe changed emblem is on “Supporters Flags” selling for £12 on the Team GB shop.
Although fans first spotted the design at the World Aquatic Championships in Qatar.
It came after the British Olympic Association enlisted Bath-based design agency Thisaway to come up with ideas to appeal to “younger audiences” and increase interest outside the four-yearly Games.
Shilton CBE, 74 – famously beaten by Diego Maradona‘s Hand of God goal in 1986 – said last night: “I’m totally against any change to our national flag.
“It feels that nothing is held sacred these days in the UK.
“Our national flag has been symbolic for many years and should never be changed.”
However, it has now been confirmed that Team GB athletes will wear the Union Flag as normal in Paris, with kit designs for this summer not yet released.
A spokesperson for Team GB said: “Rest assured the Union flag will feature proudly on the team kit for Paris, as it always does.
“This image doesn’t replace the Union flag, which we will wear with pride later this summer.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today repeated a warning that sports kit manufacturers “shouldn’t mess” with national flags amid the uproar.
Downing Street reiterated the PM’s view that the UK’s national flags are “perfect as they are”.
The controversy comes hot on the heels of uproar over England football’s Euro 2024 kit change.
The new shirt features a St George’s Cross which deviates from the traditional colours.
ENGLAND FANS STILL HOT OVER THE COLLAR
By Andy Robinson
THE controversy over the Team GB flag comes hot on the heels of uproar over England’s Euro 2024 kit.
The new shirt for the football aces features a St George’s Cross which deviates from the
traditional red by adding purple and blue.
The emblem, on the collar of the home shirt, has been criticised as “woke” by fans.
Shirt makers Nike defended it, despite England manager Gareth Southgate declaring: “If it is not white with a red cross, it is not the St George’s flag.”
PM Rishi Sunak also hit out at the changes.
Stockists JD Sports said the home kit is selling less than the away kit for the first time ever.
Designers for Team GB updated the Union Jack after deeming its iconic red, white and blue colours were “not unique”.
The creators wrote on their website: “As with many sport brands, colour was a point of contention.
“Obviously red, white and blue is synonymous with Great Britain, but it’s far from unique, with nations such as France and USA also sporting the same colours.
“We needed to find a way of refreshing Team GB’s colour palette in a way that is both flexible and ownable.
“Rather than trying to look beyond the traditional colours, we decided to embrace them and push the iconic red, white and blue as far as we could.” The changed emblem also appears on £13 bunting, as well as merchandise including water bottles and towels.
It is described as “Union Jack red, white and blue” — with pink as an extreme variation of red.
Our national flag has been symbolic for many years and should never be changed.
Peter ShiltonThe flag description adds: “Parade your pride for our country and the hard working athletes by displaying in any bedroom or flagpole. Create a show stopper, fit for any fan.”
The red was previously taken out of designs on the London 2012 kit, but restored for Rio 2016 and at Tokyo 2020, where it was worn with pride by diver Tom Daley.
Critics said previous alterations were artistic decisions, while the latest changes are laced with “agenda politics”.
The online shop still sells tradition Union Jacks but they are not branded “Team GB”. And it is expected to remain the official flag for the upcoming games.
Team GB said they had received “very positive public feedback”.
They added: “Rest assured the Union Flag will feature proudly on the team kit for Paris, as it always does. This image doesn’t replace the Union Flag, which we will wear with pride later this summer.”
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