Inspired by Alfie, I put pen finger to paper keyboard once again and asked the RFU to stop playing God Save the Queen before England matches.
Hi,
Our glorious leader has pronounced that deciding which national anthem to play before sporting events is not a matter for the British government and is, instead, the responsibility of the governing body of the sport in question.
Bearing this in mind, can I ask that you please refrain from playing the BRITISH national anthem before ENGLISH rugby matches?
I’m sure that God Save the Queen is very popular amongst the blazer wearing VIP’s in the hospitality lounge but they are only a small group of people. I think that if you asked the question – perhaps by canvassing the England supporters club – whether fans would rather hear the British national anthem when England play or whether they would rather have an English song such as Jerusalem, they would choose the latter.
Personally, I can’t bring myself to listen to the British national anthem when England is playing and either mute the television or change the channel whilst it is being played.
I’ve written before about the British anthem being played before English games and was given the excuse that Princess Anne is the patron of the RFU. If you were planning to use that as an excuse again, can you please tell me what Princess Anne thinks about playing an English anthem before an English game?
Regards,
Stuart Parr
If you’re interested in an anthem for England, take a look at the Anthem for England website.
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