England football kit redesign blasted as ‘woke, gay communist nonsense’ by outraged right-wingers
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An investigation into the recent redesign of England’s national football kit by Nike has sparked controversy among right-wing news outlets and commentators, who have labeled it as “woke” and accused the company of promoting LGBTQ+ ideology. The new kit features a color scheme of purple and blue, which some critics claim resembles the bisexual pride flag.
Nike has defended the design, stating that the colors were chosen to honor the original 1966 England kit and have no connection to the LGBTQ+ community. A spokesperson for the company explained that the gradient of blues and reds on the cuffs was inspired by the training gear worn by England’s 1966 heroes, with purple accents paying tribute to the flag of St. George.
Despite the backlash, Nike has confirmed that they have no plans to change the kit, which will be worn by the England team in the upcoming Euro 2024 championship. The Football Association (FA) has also expressed full support for the design, emphasizing that they “completely stand by it.”
However, critics such as Reform UK MP Lee Anderson and Conservative MP Brendan Clarke-Smith have voiced their disapproval of the kit, accusing Nike of engaging in “virtue-signaling woke nonsense.” Anderson went as far as to threaten to leave the country if such actions continue, while Clarke-Smith humorously suggested that the design was a result of a misunderstanding in the design department.
The debate spilled over onto social media platforms, with many expressing outrage over what they perceived as an attempt to cater specifically to bisexual individuals. Football manager turned commentator Joey Barton tweeted his disdain for the kit, claiming it was part of a larger agenda to promote “gay communist nonsense.” His remarks were met with ridicule, as others pointed out that the original red flag colors were still prominent in the design.
This is not the first time Nike has faced criticism regarding its handling of football kits. Last year, fans of the women’s England team, known as the Lionesses, were upset when the company decided not to sell replica goalkeeper jerseys featuring Mary Earps’ name and number. Despite making home and away strips for every other player, Nike faced backlash for excluding Earps from the merchandise lineup.
Mary Earps, who plays for Manchester United in the Women’s Super League, expressed her disappointment at being left out of the merchandise offerings, describing it as “hugely disappointing and very hurtful.” After pressure from fans and players alike, Nike eventually released a limited number of Mary Earps shirts for purchase.
In conclusion, while Nike’s redesign of England’s national football kit has sparked controversy and accusations of promoting LGBTQ+ ideology, the company maintains that the colors were chosen to pay homage to tradition rather than push a specific agenda. The ongoing debate highlights the intersection of sports, politics, and identity in modern society.
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England’s national football kit
