The organisation that oversees European football has forbidden British football clubs from playing the national song in homage to the Queen before games.
In their tonight’s home Champions League matches, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Rangers all requested permission to play God Save The King before kickoff.
However, Uefa objected, saying it had to maintain a “subdued environment” free of “celebratory actions” before games.
Tory lawmakers responded angrily, branding Uefa as “absolutely unfair.”
Nigel Huddleston, the sports minister, is reportedly quite worried about the choice, according to sources last night.
Rangers will reportedly break the prohibition and play the national anthem today, after a period of quiet, before their match against Napoli. If English clubs follow suit, there can be repercussions, such as a fine.
Despite the restriction, some fans could still choose to shout God Save the King.
The Chelsea Pensioners, headquartered in the west London’s Royal Hospital Chelsea, which was established by King Charles II in 1682, are closely related to Chelsea.
Royals and Rangers share a history together. This week, former manager and Sportsmail writer Graeme Souness wrote about how, soon after taking over the club, he had a photograph of the Queen hung in the home dressing room.
Manchester City reportedly wanted to offer their fans a chance to sing the national anthem as a tribute to the Queen.
Greg Hands, the Chelsea and Fulham Tory MP, said yesterday night that Uefa’s actions were totally unjustified. The opportunity to honour our new king would be welcomed by the teams and their fans. The king is above politics in Britain.
If Uefa can make a mistake, they will, according to former culture secretary and fellow Chelsea supporter David Mellor. Why would anybody want to ban the national anthem? ’
The formal prohibition, he said, would not prevent supporters from singing the national song.
Former sports minister Tracey Crouch stated: “Last week, Uefa’s president conveyed his deepest sympathies at the Queen’s passing, referring to her as one of the most revered individuals in the world.
Because of her death, they are forbidding supporters from singing the national anthem this week.
Teams sang the national anthem throughout yesterday night’s English Football League games.
Additionally, on Thursday of last week, only hours after the Queen’s death was officially announced, West Ham supporters sung it during their Conference League triumph against FCSB of Romania.
Uefa acknowledged receiving several requests from clubs to perform God Save the King.
Additionally, it has outlawed the use of player mascots and banners in the centre circle. However, if asked, there may be a moment of silence and black armbands can be worn.
No national anthems will be sung, a Uefa official confirmed. . . based on maintaining a regular pre-game ceremonial with a sombre tone…’
Uefa has already under criticism for its dismal track record of penalising racist behaviour while levying harsher penalties for less serious offences.
For instance, in 2012, Porto was fined £16,700 for racial taunts directed at Mario Balotelli by their supporters during a match with Manchester City, although City was only fined £25,000 for arriving late to the field for the game’s second half against Sporting Lisbon.