In a politically charged atmosphere, Jonathan Liew reflects on the England team’s inescapable relationship with national symbolism, exploring how Thomas Tuchel’s squad navigates the complexities of representing a nation grappling with its identity.
As the calendar flips to 2025, the echoes of patriotic anthems and the sight of St. George's crosses fluttering in the wind take on a sharper, more complicated resonance. Jonathan Liew's reflection on the England team's relationship with national symbolism paints a picture of a nation grappling with its identity, where the simple act of displaying a flag can be fraught with political undertones.
The opening lines of 'Three Lions '98' strike a different chord now, in a time where the St. George's cross is not just a symbol of national pride but also, in some instances, a marker of division and intolerance. Reports of the flag being used to deface religious and ethnic minority establishments cast a shadow over its unifying potential. Even Prime Minister Keir Starmer's declaration of support for flags is met with skepticism, seen by some as a political maneuver rather than a genuine expression of patriotism.
Amidst this charged atmosphere, Thomas Tuchel's England squad steps onto the field, ready to compete in crucial matches against Andorra and Serbia. While Tuchel may express a desire to keep "sport-politics" at bay, the reality is that the England team, adorned with the national flag, inevitably carries the weight of political and cultural significance.
Tuchel's preference to focus solely on the game is understandable. In his eyes, football may represent a neutral arena, where shared passion transcends national borders. However, as Liew points out, the very act of attempting to detach the team from political meaning is, in itself, a statement. The England team's performance, their representation of diversity, and their conduct on and off the pitch all contribute to the narrative of what it means to be English.
Football's relationship with politics has always been complex. While some argue that the sport should remain separate from political issues, others believe that athletes have a responsibility to use their platform to advocate for social change. The England team, in particular, has faced scrutiny over its stance on issues ranging from racism to social injustice. While the players may not always seek to be political activists, their actions inevitably carry weight and influence.
The challenge for Tuchel and his players is to navigate this complex landscape while remaining true to their values. They must find a way to embrace the positive aspects of national pride while rejecting the negative connotations of intolerance and division. This may involve taking a more active role in promoting diversity and inclusion, using their platform to speak out against injustice, and demonstrating a commitment to representing all segments of English society.
The Lionesses' inspiring performance over the summer provides a blueprint for how the England team can reclaim the flag as a symbol of unity and shared values. By demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility, they showed that Englishness can be a source of pride without being exclusionary or divisive. As the current England team takes to the field, they have the opportunity to follow in the Lionesses' footsteps and redefine the meaning of the flag for a new generation.
In a society grappling with its identity and values, symbols take on heightened significance. The England team, whether it likes it or not, is a bearer of those symbols. By embracing the positive aspects of national pride and rejecting the negative, they can play a vital role in shaping the future of English identity.