Call for new Northern Ireland soccer anthem
AN ULSTER Unionist spokesperson has called for a new anthem to be played prior to Northern Ireland's international football matches.
Kenny Donaldson spoke out as he backed the Irish Football Association (IFA) in their legal action regarding the ongoing row over player eligibility.
The administrative body is taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland after former youth international Shane Duffy revealed last month he had switched allegiance and would in future opt to play for the Republic.
The UUP's community and voluntary sector spokesman, who is an avid Northern Ireland fan, insists the player eligibility "quagmire" is threatening the good of football in the country and is placing the Province at a distinct disadvantage from others.
Mr Donaldson argues replacing the traditional God Save The Queen will remove the argument of "loaded nationalists" which is that the playing of the national anthem "is unacceptable at Northern Ireland matches and has the consequence of alienating people".
"As a practising unionist and devout royalist, I believe that it would be a positive development for an anthem to be developed, which shows affinity to Northern Ireland in the same way that Wales and Scotland enjoy their own individual regional anthems," he said.
He added: "God Save The Queen in my view should be reserved for occasions where the United Kingdom are competing in events as a nation. It belongs to all who reside throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."
In 2008, Wicklow-based Presbyterian minister the Rev David Montgomery penned his own adapted version of the well-known anthem the Londonderry Air.
The Glengormley native suggested the new song be played at Northern Ireland matches in the aftermath of widespread booing of God Save The Queen by opposing fans, prior to an international friendly with Scotland.
Despite numerous attempts by the News Letter, a spokesperson from the Irish FA was unable to respond regarding the anthem issue at the time of going to press.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Sinn Fein MLA Paul Maskey has submitted a request to the business office at Stormont for the player eligibility matter to be debated in the Assembly.
The motion reads: "That this Assembly calls on the Irish Football Association to respect the Good Friday Agreement and to adhere to the rules set out by FIFA with regards to the rights of Irish citizens to play for the team they choose."
Mr Maskey said he was "very disappointed" regarding the IFA's intention to take legal action to stop players born in the Province playing for the Republic team.
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