Lee Carsley and the British national anthem explained before the Republic of Ireland vs England match

At the 2024 European Championship, every player in the English starting eleven sang “God Save the King” throughout the tournament.

However, this was not always the case.

In 2022, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold was criticised by some for not singing the national anthem before a Nations League defeat to Hungary in Budapest.

Former England captain Wayne Rooney often did not sing the national anthem, especially before he was given the captain’s armband.

The Football Association supported Rooney’s decision.

“Whether a player wants to sing the national anthem or not is a purely personal decision,” an FA spokesman said in 2012.

But former Manchester United captain Gary Neville said he decided not to sing the national anthem because former FA chairman Geoff Thompson told him in 1995 that he “had to” sing it. , external

“I didn’t sing it when I first played for England,” said Neville.

“Partly because I thought I was taking my job seriously and not singing before a game.

“He [Thompson] only tried to talk to me once.

“Did he want to ask me about my World Cup preparations? Or how the FA could help behind the scenes? No, Mr Thompson wanted to know why I didn’t sing the national anthem.”

“I don’t have people in suits telling me what to do.”