page_title: Flag of England
section_title: Sporting events
hierarchical_section_title: Flag of England / Contemporary use / Sporting events
caption_attribution_description: English fan in the streets of Nantes, France
context_page_description: The flag of England is derived from Saint George's Cross. The association of the red cross as an emblem of England can be traced back to the Late Middle Ages, and it was increasingly used alongside the Royal Banner in the wake of the English Reformation, especially as a maritime flag.
  It was used as a component in the design of the Union Jack in 1606.
  It has been widely used since the 1990s, specifically at national sporting events, especially during England's national football team's season.
context_section_description: The flag is also seen during other sporting events in which England competes, for example during England Cricket matches (the Cricket World Cup and The Ashes), during Rugby Union matches and in football. It is also used in icons on the Internet and on the TV screen to represent teams and players from England.
  Before 1996, most of the flags waved by supporters were Union Flags. It is now observed that most are England flags. In a sporting context, the flag is often seen being waved by supporters with the unofficial addition of the word 'England' across its horizontal bar.
caption: English Rugby team supporter waving the English flag in the streets of Nantes, France in 2007
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