FA tightens rules on use of England kit

The Football Association has closed a loophole which lets sponsors of capped football players use the sportsmen wearing their England kit – even if they were not official FA sponsors.

A new clause in the FA’s contract with England players gives the Association the right to vet endorsement deals when the footballers are wearing their England shirts.

The move is designed to protect the family of sponsors that the FA is putting together in its 60m Football Associates programme.

Until now other brands could sign up players and feature them wearing the famous three lions shirt.

An FA insider says: “We have to protect our commercial programme. Most deals that players do will not cause any problem. But some may conflict with our sponsors and we will have the right to vet such deals.”