9 months ago
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ENGLAND Under-21 star Harvey Elliott appeared to hide the “woke” St George’s Cross as he played in the controversial new Three Lions kit.
Liverpool ace Elliott turned out for the Young Lions in a qualifier in Azerbaijan on Friday afternoon.
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A look at Harvey Elliott's goal to get our #YoungLions up and running in today's #U21EURO qualifier…
The 20-year-old put in an eye-catching display as he scored twice in a 5-1 win, that also saw Noni Madueke, Jaden Philogene and Archie Gray get on the scoresheet.
However, it was something the midfielder did to his kit which got fans talking on social media.
Elliott could be seen wearing his collar up, therefore covering the controversial multicoloured St George’s flag on the back of Nike‘s new Three Lions kit, unveiled by manufacturer earlier this week.
Whether Elliott raised his collar in response to the kit fiasco or as a preference to how he wants to wear the kit is unclear.
Reacting on social media, some fans unhappy with the shirt situation were thrilled to see the kit worn that way, with one saying: “I think Harvey Elliott isn’t a fan of the new collar. Old school collar up.”
A second said: “Go on Harvey.”
While a third added: “Good lad 
.”
The cross in question has sparked debate among fans due to a change made to the colour of the cross – moving from a traditional red and white to a red, blue, purple and pink colour.
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Footie legends – including Peter Shilton, David Seaman and Harry Redknapp – were all left unimpressed with the change, while some fans labelled the change as “woke”.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer were both united in slamming the kit.
Many were also left upset by the astronomical £124.99 price tag slapped on the men’s and women’s kit, with children’s tops fetching a slightly lower £119.
Nike said the change was a “playful update” which paid homage to the training kit from 1966 – to date the year England won it’s only major senior men’s tournament.
The FA have also declared the kits will NOT be recalled.
English football‘s governing body 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.
“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.”
England shirt change controversy
THE latest Three Lions strip came under heavy fire after a sudden change.
The Three Lions’ strips were unveiled on Monday with the traditional red cross altered to one with navy, light blue and purple.
But Nike and the FA have “no plans” to recall the new England home kit amid a row over its altered St George’s flag.
Both the home and away kits were released earlier this week, with England set to debut them during the upcoming March internationals.
It is thought to be a nod to the 1966 World Cup winners’ training kit – which contained blue, red and purple.
The change led to some labelling the shirt “woke” as they called on the manufacturer to revert back to the usual colours.
But according to The Mail, Nike will not succumb to pressure from some England fans.
It is thought to be a nod to the 1966 World Cup winners’ training kit – which contained blue, red and purple.
The change led to some labelling the shirt “woke” as they called on the manufacturer to revert back to the usual colours.
But according to The Mail, Nike will not succumb to pressure from some England fans.
It is understood the flag alteration was the work of a Nike designer, but was also signed off by the FA.
And the FA insist the decision was made to “honour the classic colour regime of 1966 training gear”.
New kit releases are one of the highlights in the build-up to a summer tournament, but England fans have also been left frustrated by the cost of the Three Lions’ new jerseys.
England’s “authentic” home and away shirts for the European Championships have been priced at £124.99 for adults and a whopping £119.99 for children.
The Three Lions U21s will be back in action against Luxembourg on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Gareth Southgate‘s senior side will be up against Brazil at Wembley tomorrow before hosting Belgium next Tuesday.
Southgate has handed three players, Kobbie Mainoo, Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon, maiden call ups.
Harvey Elliott at the double 
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