‘Happy and glorious... but not for us: UK-wide national anthem should be reserved for UK-wide competitors only’

Any discussion about dropping the playing of the UK national anthem at Northern Ireland football games should be widened out to include the UK’s use of it, specifically England football
By Thomas Stewart
Published 15th Dec 2021, 07:15 GMT
NI players stand for God Save the Queen ahead of a clash with Italy; this letter-writer says that the anthem belongs to the whole UK, so it should only be played when a team is representing the entire UK – not just part of itNI players stand for God Save the Queen ahead of a clash with Italy; this letter-writer says that the anthem belongs to the whole UK, so it should only be played when a team is representing the entire UK – not just part of it
NI players stand for God Save the Queen ahead of a clash with Italy; this letter-writer says that the anthem belongs to the whole UK, so it should only be played when a team is representing the entire UK – not just part of it

(‘A joint anthem would be ploy to undermine Northern Ireland,’ Ben Lowry, December 11).

Scotland and Wales have their own anthems but when they play England they are in the odd position of listening to their own UK national anthem being played for the opposing team.

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The national anthem belongs to all of the UK, so only if a sporting contender is representing the UK, for example Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton, should the national anthem be played.

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

England football should drop the national anthem and get their own, such as ‘Jerusalem’ which is already played at cricket internationals.

Thomas Stewart, Belfast BT4

For more opinion on everything from Gerry Adams to the national anthem, visit this link: www.newsletter.co.uk/news/opinion

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Related topics:Ben LowryNorthern IrelandJerusalemEnglandWales