Created in response to the racist abuse some England players received at the end of Euro 2021, the Fabric of England is a patchwork quilt of a design that celebrates the “rich diversity and cultural tapestry” of English football teams. As well as featuring elements of England’s main kit, it also features parts of 13 national football team kits.
That’s because of the 39 players who helped England qualify for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, almost all have a history of migration. So while the contest itself may be shrouded in controversy, Show Racism the Red Card is still doing its best to show its support and solidarity with this kit.
For Shaka Hislop, Honorary President and Co-Founder of Show Racism the Red Card, the kit is the perfect way to remind people that the World Cup is about much more than crowning a champion. “It’s about the world coming together to honor the beautiful game and what that means to each of us,” he explains.
“It’s a celebration of our differences – countries, languages and cultures. And it also celebrates our similarities – shared joy, expression and hope. The World Cup, every four years, shows us that we prove the best of us only when we conquer our differences side by side with our similarities”.
And in addition to fighting racism, the kit will help raise awareness. The general public will be aware that Raheem Sterling and Kyle Walker are descendants of the Windrush generation. However, England’s squad also contains some lesser-known links to immigration. These include Ben Chilwell, whose family came from New Zealand, and Fikayo Tomori, who was born in Canada to Nigerian parents. Meanwhile, Declan Rice, Jack Grealish and England star Harry Kane all have family roots that go back to Ireland.
“This is an important project to celebrate what makes England, England,” says Paul Kearns, Deputy Chief Executive of Show Racism the Red Card. “The jersey spreads a positive message of diversity and inclusion and opens people’s eyes to the rich heritage of the England team. We hope it inspires the whole country to get behind England to bring it home.”
Adorned in the colors of multiple flags, the holders will sport elements of the Republic of Ireland, Jamaica, Nigeria, Scotland, Northern Ireland, USA, Canada, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, St Kitts & Nevis, St Vincent & the Grenadines, and New Zealand.
To help promote the Show Racism shirt, Red Card has also cast models of multiple/dual heritage from across the country, including Sonia from Shoreditch. She said: “I’ve lived in London for three years and what makes it so vibrant is its diversity – it doesn’t matter what your heritage or background is, when it comes to the World Cup it feels like the whole nation unite. together as one.”
Meanwhile, Rob Doubal and Laurence Thomson, chief creative officers at McCann UK, added: “Launching the England away shirt in collaboration with Show Racism the Red Card is a proud moment for us – we’ve been working on this project since the Euro final . last year when some of the squad were subjected to completely unfair and despicable racist abuse. We hope this idea will positively highlight the intersection of national identity, culture and football in general.”
A limited number of shirts have been made to be used as an educational tool by Show Racism the Red Card as they go into schools to talk to children. The campaign will also run across the charity’s social media channels to help support its aim to eradicate racism within professional and grassroots football.
And if you want to do your bit to help eliminate racism and support Show Racism the Red Card, head over to her website, where you’ll find a wealth of tools and resources.
