Rangers DEFY ban from UEFA not to play the national anthem
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Rangers defied the UEFA ban for British teams to play the national anthem before Champions League matches tonight, while the Scottish side played ‘God Save the King’ over loudspeakers at Ibrox.
During the day, the realization grew that Rangers and Chelsea, who saw supporters cheering a fan group to ‘sing out’ the national anthem before their match against Red Bull Salzburg, would both ignore the pronunciation of UEFA’s national anthem.
With no visiting Napoli fans in tow due to the police shortage, the Rangers-only crowd observed a minute of impeccable silence before the national anthem was played over the PA system.
At Chelsea, there were plenty of tributes to the Queen and an improvised version of the British national anthem sung by supporters before kick-off, despite being advised not to.
Sports post has exclusively revealed this week that UEFA has turned down requests from British clubs to play the national anthem before European matches on Wednesday night after the Queen’s death.
Manchester City, Chelsea and Rangers all argued for a license to play God Save the King ahead of their home games.
UEFA declined “on the basis of maintaining a consistent pre-match ceremony with a subdued atmosphere and without any celebratory activities at all British venues to show respect.”
Rangers defied UEFA ban when they blasted God Save the King from their speakers
UEFA has rejected the request from British clubs to play the national anthem before the Champions League matches on Wednesday. Rangers chose to ignore that statement and play anyway
Chelsea fans put up a tribute to the Queen before singing the national anthem before the match ahead of their draw against Red Bull Salzburg
European football’s governing body chose not to play the Champions League anthem before kick-off and black armbands were worn by teams and staff where requested, but the anthem was not allowed.
But Rangers chose to ignore the UEFA ruling completely and the PA announcer confirmed before the silence that the British national anthem would follow.
Manchester City made a plea to UEFA, but after being denied that right, they followed protocol and did not play the national anthem as Rangers did.
Chelsea didn’t play it through the stadium loudspeakers, but fans gathered for a rendition of the national anthem before the silence.
In Manchester, both City and opponents Borussia Dortmund observed a minute’s silence in memory of the Queen.
Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund observed silence, but the national anthem was not played
The UK is still in mourning after the death of Queen Elizabeth II last Thursday
Thousands of Rangers fans arrived armed with flags in tribute to the Queen, while Union Jack flags adorned the rim of the stadium ahead of the Rangers’ Champions League homecoming.
Chelsea fans produced their own banner tribute on their Shed End that read: ‘RIP YOUR MAJESTY’ before chanting a version of the national anthem as players emerged from the tunnel.
On Wednesday morning, a Chelsea fan group urged supporters to ‘sing’ the national anthem that evening, in defiance of UEFA’s ban.
An image posted on Twitter showed some supporters lining up for the game at Stamford Bridge with Union Jack flags.
The photo showed one end of the ground decked out with Union Jack flags, and in the accompanying post it encouraged fans who came to the game to do the same.
It says ‘Preparing for tomorrow. Bring your Union Jack flags tomorrow if you have them. RIP Your Majesty’.
There were tributes all over Ibrox before the match, with supporters paying their tribute
An area has been demarcated for Rangers fans to pay floral tributes and condolences
Red Bull Salzburg fans paid their own tribute by walking in silence to Stamford Bridge.
A video shared from the Austrian club’s Twitter page shows fans walking solemnly in silence to the stadium.
“Out of respect for the Queen, our fans walked silently from Earl’s Court to the stadium,” reads a tweet.
“We remain united with the people of the UK at this time of sorrow.”
By contrast, Celtic fans unveiled an offensive banner reading ‘f*** the crown’ during their Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.
BT Sport had to apologize after they tightened an insulting banner about the Queen’s death on Wednesday.
However, after a pre-match meeting between Celtic, Shakhtar and UEFA, it was decided that there would be no minute’s silence before kick-off.
Celtic fans mock Queen’s death with insulting banners at Champions League match
Players from both teams did wear black armbands in memory of Her Majesty.
God Save The King was first sung for Saturday’s third Test between England and South Africa at the Oval and will be used at Premier League matches this weekend as part of the tribute to The Queen’s passing.
Last week, just an hour after the Queen’s death was announced, there were similarly touching scenes at other matches.
Thousands of West Ham fans started an emotional rendition of ‘God Save the Queen’.
Stamford Bridge impeccably observed a minute’s silence after they had already sung the national anthem