It has been confirmed that Team GB will wear the traditional Union Jack on their competition kit at the Paris 2024 Olympics, following criticism over redesigns of the flag on their latest clothing.
Now just a few months away from the Summer Games in France, Team GB unveiled some new licensed merchandise ahead of the tournament, including jackets, supporters flags and sports bottles which feature the United Kingdom’s official symbol in different shades besides the original blue, red and white.
While designers Thisaway said they simply wanted to try and “refresh” the colour palette and make the merch feel more “flexible and ownable”, many have labelled the tweaks an attempt to “deface” a national symbol, “perverse” as opposed to diverse, as well as “woke” for using inclusive pinks and purples.
In fact, the backlash has grown big enough that Team GB have now had to issue a statement assuring fans that athletes will be donning the normal Union Jack and colour scheme when competing at the Olympics in July.
Quite simply, it is not the Union Jack. The equivalent would be for the French team to wear a purple, pink and sky blue tricolour. Loopy. https://t.co/9mKG7rthpb
But it’s by no means the first time Team GB has played with the look of the Union Jack — they even did when we were hosting it.
While Team GB has said they received “positive feedback” from the public over the slight fashion-driven slant on the national symbol, they have now reiterated in a statement: “Rest assured the Union Flag will feature proudly on the team kit for Paris, as it always does.
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“This image doesn’t replace the Union Flag, which we will wear with pride later this summer.”
Speaking to The Sun, the President of the Flag Institute, Malcolm Farrow, said of the situation: “People have every right to be upset with Team GB.
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“They need to remember brave men fought for this flag and died while protecting it. Changing it is bordering on an insult to them. To do something like this in places like India, Greece or Turkey would have serious consequences.” Even former Olympian Fatima Whitbread took time to criticise the designs, saying she was “disgusted” with the changes.
This comes just a week after many England fans across the country were calling for a boycott of Nike after a similar twist on the St George’s Cross flag located on the collar of their new kits for Euro 2024.
Tommy Fury announces huge fight against former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall
Daisy Jackson
Tommy Fury has announced his next major boxing match – against a rather unlikely opponent.
The Manc boxer and former Love Island star will face Eddie Hall, who once reigned as the World’s Strongest Man and was the first person on the planet to deadlift 500kg.
The match, billed as Beauty vs The Beast (we’ll let you decide who’s who…), will take place at the AO Arena this summer.
Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall will be facing off in Manchester as part of the Misfits Boxing series, a sports promotion company founded by YouTube sensation KSI.
26-year-old Fury – younger brother of heavyweight legend Tyson Fury – remains unbeaten, seeing off all-comers in the crossover boxing world.
As for 38-year-old Eddie Hall (nicknamed The Beast), he retired as a strongman competitor, where he’s previously been crowned the World’s Strongest Man, and has now pivoted into combat sports.
The pair have collaborated recently on several videos online, taking on challenges like a One Punch Knockout and a breakfast eating competition.
But this will be the first time they’ve publicly faced off in the ring.
Misfirst Boxing has once more delivered the biggest match-ups possible in the crossover boxing space, with Fury vs. Hall promising to be a titanic tussle that will captivate fans around the world.
Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall, Beauty vs The Beast, will take place on Saturday 13 June at the AO Arena in Manchester – you can get tickets HERE.
Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.
With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.
Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.
Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.
Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.
It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.
“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”
He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.
Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.
Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.
That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.
Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?
Danny Jones -
2nd April 2024 
