EXCLUSIVE: Premier League calls for national anthem to be played for all games next weekend in light of King Charles III’s coronation on May 6 – leaving Liverpool in complex situation ahead of Anfield clash with Brentford following earlier anger from fans
- The coronation of King Charles III will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023
- Premier League teams play the national anthem before their matches
- Sections of the Anfield club’s support have previously booed the anthem
The Premier League has asked its clubs to play the national anthem ahead of their matches over the coronation weekend.
Mail Sport has learned that the league has contacted both sides with a home game to ‘strongly suggest’ that God Save the King be broadcast before their games start, in a move that could spell trouble for Liverpool.
Sections of the Anfield club’s supporters have previously booed the national anthem and with Saturday’s match against Brentford live on Sky Sports, officials could be in a difficult position.
If they decide not to play the national anthem, they risk criticism, but if they do and the booing is repeated, they could also be sentenced.
Clubs have been asked to play the national anthem with players and officials around the center circle. They will also feature an official portrait of the King and Queen consort and the coronation logo to be displayed on large screens while the national anthem is played.
The Premier League has asked its clubs to play the national anthem ahead of their matches over the coronation weekend
Liverpool are in a complex situation ahead of their clash with Brentford following earlier fan anger
Liverpool fans previously chanted the national anthem ahead of their Community Shield victory
Football fans then took to Twitter to vent their frustrations at the boos
Announcements via the PA system are proposed, while an article in the program about the coronation is also proposed. Images and decals will also be sent to clubs to use on their digital and social channels.
It’s clear most will be playing the anthem, but what happens at Anfield, where large swaths of the fan base have long held anti-establishment attitudes, remains to be seen.
Liverpool supporters noticeably belted out the national anthem ahead of the 2022 FA Cup Final at Wembley. Ahead of July’s Community Shield win over Manchester City at Leicester’s King Power Stadium, Prince William was laughed at as he shook hands with players.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, a minute’s silence was requested ahead of the Champions League match between Liverpool and Ajax in September. Subsequently, manager Jurgen Klopp urged fans to respect it. “I think it’s the right thing to do,” he said, “but I don’t think our people need any advice from me to show respect.”
Klopp went on to pay his own personal tribute to the Queen, greeting her as a “warm and loving lady” before confirming he would honor the silence of the moment.
On the night itself, the silence was generally respectful, with isolated boos and screams from a minority silenced by others.
The situation is complex. Liverpool is a left-leaning city where many have strong anti-government sentiment. Government failure after the Hillsborough disaster, the town’s decline in the 1980s, and increased use of food banks in more recent times have also contributed to the position.