Crowds across Premier League’s 3pm fixtures join in with rendition of ‘God Save the King’
Crowds at the 3pm Premier League matches join in the rendition of ‘God Save the King’ on the day of King Charles III’s coronation…
Fans across the country sang along to the national anthem as the ‘God Save the King’ was played without incident ahead of the Premier League games which kicked off at 3pm.
Bournemouth, Manchester City, Wolves and Tottenham all started at 3pm in their home stadiums for their draws against Chelsea, Leeds, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace respectively, having agreed in advance to play ‘God Save the King’ after the Premier League’ highly recommended’ teams are doing this to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III this morning.
Clubs were also provided with an image of the King and Queen consort and the coronation logo.
Initially, there was doubt whether Liverpool would participate in the gesture due to the club’s checkered history surrounding the anthem.
At the club’s FA Cup final at Wembley last year, the national anthem was loudly booed by the supporters in attendance.
Manchester City and Leeds players gathered around the center circle playing ‘God Save the King’ ahead of kick-off on Coronation Day
There were similar scenes at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of the kick-off against Palace
Chelsea players joined arms at the post-ceremony tribute to King Charles III
Rather than a direct attack on the individual figures in the monarchy, the Reds’ rejection of the song says more about their frustration with the establishment.
Mail Sport’s Dominic King suggested that the fans at Anfield sing You’ll Never Walk Alone instead after the club gave in to pressure to play the national anthem after taking time to make a decision.
Manager Jurgen Klopp said ahead of his side’s game against Brentford that “the club’s position is [his] position’ and refused to be tempted to make a statement supporting or rejecting the inclusion of the song in the afternoon proceedings.
“I’m pretty sure a lot of people in this country will enjoy the coronation, some won’t be interested and some won’t like it,” Klopp said diplomatically. “That’s it and that’s all over the country.”
In the wake of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September 2022, matches were controversially canceled in a joint decision by the Premier League and the Football Association.
When the schedule resumed, clubs paid tribute to the monarch by playing the national anthem and holding a minute’s silence.
There were scattered boos at Goodison Park ahead of Everton’s game against West Ham and Tottenham’s home game against Leicester.
Chelsea, who face Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium, had the unique honor of having one of their players directly involved in the coronation.
A number of Premier League grounds chose to show the coronation on matchday
Supporters gathered at Vitality Stadium ahead of Cherries’ 3pm draw against Chelsea
Early arrivals at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium put a personal spin on the historic day
Striker Sam Kerr led the Australian delegation into Westminster Abbey with her national flag after being chosen by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The Matildas captain said that in honor of the unique occasion, manager Emma Hayes had allowed her to miss training, inspiring the women’s side against Everton on Sunday.
Although there were no football matches on the occasion of the late Queen’s coronation 70 years ago, a planned Coronation Cup was played a month before, in May 1953.
Four teams from England and four from Scotland competed to become the de facto champions of Great Britain, with Celtic beating Hibernian in the final at Hampden Park.