Sports
Flag change on new England football kit causes uproar
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday waded into a row over a new England football shirt designed by Nike that changes the colours of the St Georgeâs Cross, saying, âwe shouldnât messâ with national flags.
The US sportswear giant altered the appearance of the Cross â the flag of England â using purple and blue horizontal stripes in what it called a âplayful updateâ to the shirt ahead of Euro 2024, which starts in June.
Nike and the Football Association said the colours on the back of the collar â different from the traditional red cross on a white background â were inspired by the training kit worn by Englandâs 1966 World Cup winners.
But the decision has led to a furious backlash from some fans and former players, with leading politicians weighing in.
Sunak â a fan of Championship side Southampton â said he âprefers the originalâ England shirt.
âMy general view is that when it comes to our national flags, we shouldnât mess with them,â he told reporters. âBecause they are a source of pride, identity, who we are, and theyâre perfect as they are.â
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, whose remit includes sport, said the FA and its kit partner had failed to put supporters first.
âOur national heritage â- including St Georgeâs Cross -â brings us together. Toying with it is pointless and unnecessary,â she said on X.
Keir Starmer, the leader of Britainâs main opposition Labour Party and an Arsenal supporter, called on Nike to âreconsiderâ its decision.
âIâm a big football fan, I go to England games, men and womenâs games, and the flag is used by everybody. It is a unifier. It doesnât need to be changed. We just need to be proud of it,â Starmer told the Sun newspaper.
No intention to offend
In a statement later on Friday, Nike said it âwas never its intention to offendâ but did not indicate any plans to change the kit design.
âWe have been a proud partner of the FA since 2012 and understand the significance and importance of the St Georgeâs Cross and it was never our intention to offend, given what it means to England fans,â it said.
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âTogether with the FA, the intention was to celebrate the heroes of 1966 and their achievements. The trim on the cuffs takes its cues from the training gear worn by Englandâs 1966 heroes, with a gradient of blues and reds topped with purple.
âThe same colours also feature an interpretation of the flag on the back of the collar.â
England boss Gareth Southgate insisted the controversy had not affected their preparations for Saturdayâs friendly with Brazil at Wembley.
âIt has not taken anything away from what weâve been preparing for all day,â Southgate said.
âItâs not been high on my list of priorities, but it depends which bit it is. I donât know if the debate is about the St Georgeâs flag needs to be on the England shirt because it hasnât always been.
âThe most important thing on the England shirt is our Three Lions because that is an iconic symbol. It is the thing that distinguishes us.
âThen I suppose what youâre asking is, should we be tampering with the cross of St George? If it is not a red cross and a white background, then itâs not a cross of St George anyway, so it is a hard question to answer.â

The FA said it was proud of the kit design, also referencing the 1966 link.
âIt is not the first time that different coloured St Georgeâs Cross-inspired designs have been used on England shirts,â said a spokesman.
The debate over the new design comes with British politics in the grip of so-called âculture warâ issues, pitting proponents of âtraditionalistâ values, such as Sunakâs ruling Conservatives, against those with more liberal, âprogressiveâ views.
AFP
Sports
PSG Edge Bayern to Reach Champions League Final Against Arsenal
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain booked their place in the UEFA Champions League final after overcoming Bayern Munich in a tense semi-final second leg at the Allianz Arena.
Luis Enriqueâs side progressed with a 5-4 aggregate victory despite late pressure from the German champions, setting up a blockbuster final clash against Arsenal in Budapest on May 30.
PSG made the perfect start when Ousmane Dembele fired home after just three minutes. The goal came following a dazzling run and cross from Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, giving the visitors an early aggregate cushion.
Backed by a charged home crowd, Bayern pushed relentlessly for a comeback. However, PSGâs defence remained organised and largely kept England captain Harry Kane quiet for most of the encounter.
The hosts believed they deserved a penalty in the first half after a clearance struck Joao Neves on the arm inside the penalty area, but officials waved play on in line with the handball law, as the ball had come directly from a team-mate.
PSG looked dangerous on the counterattack after the break, with Desire Doue coming close on several occasions. Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer produced a series of key saves to keep his side alive in the contest.
Bayernâs persistence finally paid off deep into stoppage time when Kane scored his 55th goal of the season, but it proved too little too late as Vincent Kompanyâs men fell short of overturning the deficit from the first leg.
PSG will now attempt to defend their European crown when they face Arsenal in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday, May 30.
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Sports
Saka Sends Arsenal to First Champions League Final Since 2006
Arsenal FC have booked their place in the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in two decades after a hard-fought victory over Atletico Madrid.
The decisive moment came just before halftime when Bukayo Saka tapped in from close range in the 44th minute, giving the Gunners a crucial lead in a tense semi-final encounter.

Arsenal were forced to dig deep defensively as Atletico pushed for an equaliser in the second half. Declan Rice produced a vital last-ditch tackle to deny Giuliano Simeone, preserving his sideâs advantage in a moment that proved pivotal.
The hosts had a golden opportunity to extend their lead, but Viktor Gyokeres missed a big chance, keeping Atleticoâs hopes alive heading into the closing stages.
Atletico thought they had a strong case for a penalty when a late attacking move saw their midfielder round goalkeeper David Raya, only to be challenged by Gabriel MagalhĂŁes. Appeals were waved away by the referee, a decision that frustrated the Spanish side.
Despite introducing several attacking options from the bench, Atletico were unable to carve out a clear-cut chance, as Arsenal held firm to secure a historic progression.
The result marks Arsenalâs first appearance in a Champions League final since 2006, a milestone moment for the North London club and their supporters.
For Atletico boss Diego Simeone, the defeat extends his wait for European glory. The Argentine manager has previously led the club to two finals, both ending in heartbreak against Real Madrid.
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Sports
Shaibu Calls for Stronger Inter-Agency Collaboration as NIS Produces Nigeriaâs First Certified Marathon Medical Director
ABUJA, NIGERIA â The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has renewed calls for stronger collaboration among government agencies in the sports sector, emphasizing that synergy is critical to unlocking Nigeriaâs full potential in sports development.
Shaibu made the call during a media interactive session alongside the Instituteâs Medical Director, Dr. Sam Ogbondeminu, who recently made history as Nigeriaâs first certified marathon race medical director after completing an intensive international certification programme in Spain.
Speaking at the session, Shaibu stressed that inter-agency cooperation is not just beneficial but essential, citing practical examples of how partnerships can deliver tangible results. He commended the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bianca Ojukwu for facilitating visa arrangements that enabled participation in the certification programme.
âThis is why collaboration among government institutions is essential. Without that support, this milestone may not have been possible,â he said.
Despite this success, the NIS boss expressed concern over what he described as limited institutional support from key agencies within Nigeriaâs sports ecosystem. He noted that the Institute has largely depended on internal efforts and private partnerships to sustain its programmes.
Shaibu highlighted the need for better alignment among the countryâs three major sports bodies the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the NIS stressing that each plays a distinct but complementary role in national sports development.
According to him, while the NFF focuses on football and the NSC oversees general sports administration, the NIS remains the specialized institution responsible for training and certifying athletes and sports professionals across disciplines.
âThe NIS is not just an academic institution; it is both academic and professional. We train, certify, and build capacity for athletes and sports personnel. That role must be fully recognized and integrated into national sports planning,â Shaibu stated.
He revealed that efforts to convene formal engagements with the NSC and NFF have yet to fully materialize, despite repeated attempts. However, he expressed optimism following recent progress with the NFF, particularly in aligning NIS programmes with CAF B coaching certification standards.
âOur technical teams are already working. We want to see NIS certification align with CAF B standards, so that our graduates remain competitive globally,â he added.
Shaibu also disclosed ongoing collaboration with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to support financially challenged students of the Institute through a student loan initiative.
Reiterating the need for unity across government institutions, Shaibu said all agencies must function within a coordinated system, regardless of bureaucratic challenges.
âWe have all been entrusted with responsibilities under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and we must deliver,â he said.
He further underscored the strategic role of sports in national development, noting that effective collaboration could help harness sports as a tool for youth engagement, national unity, and economic diversification, while also reducing insecurity.
Highlighting the significance of Dr. Ogbondeminuâs achievement, Shaibu described it as a major breakthrough for Nigeriaâs sports medicine sector, noting that the country previously relied on foreign expertise for such roles.
âThis milestone marks the beginning of self-sufficiency in sports medicine for international competitions,â he said.
In his remarks, Dr. Sam Ogbondeminu recounted his journey to certification, revealing that the opportunity began when the DG encouraged him to apply as medical director for the Okpekpe International Road Race.
He explained that meeting the requirements required completing a rigorous three-stage certification programme in Madrid, Spain. Despite logistical challenges that nearly derailed the process, support from race organizers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ensured its successful completion.
With this development, Nigeria now has a certified marathon medical director, a milestone expected to boost the countryâs capacity to host and manage international road races with improved medical standards.
The session concluded with a broader message: Nigeriaâs sports sector is at a critical turning point, where collaboration, innovation, and sustained commitment will determine its future trajectory.
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Sports
Lookman Spotted in London Ahead of Arsenal vs Atletico UCL Showdown
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has been spotted in London ahead of AtlĂ©tico Madridâs crucial UEFA Champions League second-leg quarter-final showdown against Arsenal.
The Nigerian international is expected to play a key role for Diego Simeoneâs side as they aim to overturn a first-leg deficit in what promises to be a high-stakes European encounter.
Lookmanâs arrival in the English capital has sparked excitement among fans, particularly Nigerian supporters eager to see the in-form winger shine on one of footballâs biggest stages. Known for his pace, creativity, and eye for goal, Lookman could be instrumental in Atleticoâs push for a comeback.
High Stakes at the Emirates
Diego Simeone will be counting on his attacking options, including Lookman, to break down an Arsenal side managed by Mikel Arteta, who will look to protect their advantage from the first leg.
Arsenal, buoyed by their strong home form, are favourites heading into the clash, but Atletico Madridâs resilience in European competitions makes them a dangerous opponent.
Nigerian Spotlight
For Lookman, the match presents another opportunity to showcase his talent on the continental stage and further cement his status as one of Nigeriaâs top-performing players in Europe.
Kick-off is scheduled for later today, with fans anticipating a thrilling contest as both sides battle for a place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
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Sports
Arsenal Thrash Fulham 3-0 as Gyökeres Fires Gunners Closer to Title
Arsenal FC delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Fulham FC on Saturday night, strengthening their grip on the Premier League title race with a clinical display at the Emirates.
Summer signing Viktor Gyökeres stole the spotlight, netting twice to take his tally to 21 league goals in his debut campaign. The Swedish strikerâs remarkable form sees him become the first Arsenal player to surpass the 20-goal mark in a single Premier League season since Alexis SĂĄnchez in 2014-15.
With captain Martin Ădegaard sidelined, Bukayo Saka stepped up to lead the side and produced a standout performance. The England international capped Arsenalâs dominance with a stunning strike before halftime, while also continuing his impressive season contribution of 10 goals and eight assists.
Arsenal controlled proceedings from the outset, combining sharp attacking play with defensive solidity to keep Fulham at bay. Gyökeres opened the scoring with a composed finish before doubling the lead in the second half, showcasing his clinical edge in front of goal.
The victory moves Arsenal to 76 points from 35 matches, putting them six points clear of defending champions Manchester City in the race for the title. With three home fixtures remaining, Mikel Artetaâs side are firmly in control of their destiny.
Attention now turns to Europe, where Arsenal face a crucial UEFA Champions League semi-final clash against Atlético Madrid, as they continue their pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts.
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