We use essential cookies and third-party cookies for content.

Pallade Veneta - Rangers defy UEFA by playing national anthem

Rangers defy UEFA by playing national anthem

THINGS TO KNOW 14.09.2022
Rangers defy UEFA by playing national anthem
Rangers defy UEFA by playing national anthem / Photo: ANDY BUCHANAN - AFP

Rangers defied Europe's football authorities by playing "God save the King" before their Champions League match against Napoli on Wednesday.

Change text size:

The Scottish club have always had a close bond with Britain's royal family and they ignored UEFA's decision to reject their request to use the national anthem ahead of kick-off at Ibrox.

After a minute's silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II, who died aged 96 on Thursday, Rangers players and fans joined together for a brief rendition of the newly worded national anthem.

One end of the stadium featured a mosaic of the Union Jack flag with a silhouette of the Queen's head in the middle of the display.

There was also a banner which read "1926 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2022".

UEFA allowed the period of silence and black armbands to be worn at all matches featuring teams from Britain, but Rangers went one step further.

"Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be honoured this evening at Ibrox with a minute's silence, a display created by the Union Bears, and a rendition of the Nation Anthem," Rangers said in a statement posted on Twitter.

Those actions are outside the parameters set by UEFA, raising the possibility of the Glasgow club facing a sanction from European football's governing body.

Ahead of kick-off at Chelsea's Champions League tie against Salzburg, two Chelsea Pensioners laid wreaths on the pitch.

As at Rangers, UEFA had rejected a request for the national anthem to be played at Stamford Bridge but an impromptu chorus rang out from the stands.

A banner reading "RIP Your Majesty" was displayed at the Shed End of the stadium, surrounded by a row of Union Jack flags.

New Chelsea manager Graham Potter emerged from the tunnel for his first game wearing a black suit and tie and clapped home supporters, before the ground fell silent in memory of the Queen.

J.Lubrano--PV

Featured

Vessel operator seeks witnesses after Vancouver grounding

VANCOUVER — The operator of a vessel that ran aground on a sandbar off Vancouver last month says “malicious” tampering was the cause and he’s urging witnesses to come forward. Kevin Skewes, the owner of Spirit Cruises, says someone hit the Pride of Vancouver’s kill switch on the night of Oct.

Bezos grant helps Seattle nonprofit move thousands of families toward housing

Seattle’s nonprofit organisation Mary’s Place is a place which supports families who are homeless. They provide emergency shelter to the needy and partner with different organisations so people should have shelter and they don't remain homeless.

Shrini Srivastava joins crew of Varanasi-Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper service

Shrini Srivastava, an electronics engineer from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, joined Indian Railways as an assistant loco pilot in April 2017. Seven years later, she made headlines after operating a Vande Bharat train and receiving an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony in June 2024.

Hamad International Airport stages emergency drills during WATAN 2026

Field exercises simulating emergency-response procedures were conducted at Hamad International Airport (HIA) Monday as part of the nationwide WATAN 2026 exercise, Qatar Airways announced. In a notice posted on its official X account, the national carrier said passengers and airport visitors may notice increased ground activity at designated locations across the airport, as well as related activities in the surrounding airspace.

Change text size: