Gareth Southgate on Friday night insisted the controversial logo on the collar of the new England shirt is not a St George's flag, claiming it is merely a 'quirky design feature'.
The national team head coach, who described himself as a huge patriot, fell short of criticising the Football Association and Nike for the multi-coloured flag, which is described as a homage to the training kit worn by the squad that won the World Cup in 1966, when he spoke for the first time on the furore that has overshadowed tonight's friendly against Brazil.
'I think they can put a quirky design together but you can't say it's the flag of St George because it isn't. It's therefore something else,' explained Southgate.
'The most important thing on the England shirt is the Three Lions. That is the thing that is iconic, that differentiates us even from the England rugby team or the England cricket team.'
Southgate, who also ruled out talking to any club while still manager of England, after being linked to Manchester United, added: 'I am a huge patriot. I believe we should celebrate St George's Day more than we do. But the bit I understand is people don't think we should have changed the flag of St George.
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.'
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.
'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.'
Nike said in statement that 'it was never our intention to offend' and that the 'intention was to celebrate the heroes of 1966 and their achievements'.
