CHELSEA AND RANGERS DEFY UEFA AS FANS SING ANTHEM
BRITISH football paid its heartfelt respects to the Queen last night with a series of impeccably observed silences and rousing choruses of the national anthem. As Sportsmail revealed they would yesterday, Rangers defied a UEFA ban by playing God Save the King over their public address system ahead of the Champions League clash with Napoli. A giant mural of the Union flag, which featured a portrait of the Queen in the centre, was held aloft by supporters. At Stamford Bridge, two Chelsea Pensioners laid a wreath on the pitch before a capacity crowd belted out their own, impromptu rendition of the national anthem as Graham Potter’s side faced Red Bull Salzburg. In Manchester, fans of
City and Germany’s Borussia Dortmund joined in an unbroken minute’s silence before their match in the Champions League while, as there were on Tuesday night, similar scenes unfolded at grounds hosting Football League fixtures. Rangers, Chelsea and City had requested permission to play the national anthem, only to be turned down by European football’s governing body. It remains to be seen whether the Glasgow club will now face sanctions.
The emotional, respectful events are expected to be repeated across Premier League stadiums this weekend. Officials have announced a minute’s silence will be observed at all top-flight matches, along with a round of applause in the 70th
minute. Big screens will display images of the Queen, who passed away last week, while players will wear black armbands with flags at stadiums flying at half-mast.
Last weekend’s fixtures were postponed as a mark of respect, but seven top flight matches will take place this weekend. Sportsmail understands most clubs will draft in singers to perform the anthem, while some will play God Save the King over loudspeakers.
The Premier League’s prematch music will not be played and there will be no handshakes before games. Players from both sides will walk out without accompanying music, which means the likes of Everton’s ZCars entrance will not feature. Advertisement boards will also display tributes to the Queen in the 70th minute, the time marking her 70 years as monarch. The matches between Chelsea and Liverpool and Manchester United and Leeds will not take place thanks to the stretch on police resources, with vast crowds set to head to the capital ahead of Monday’s funeral. Brighton against Crystal Palace had already been postponed because of rail strikes. Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Manchester City, set for October 19, has been called off to allow the Gunners to play PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League.
Arsenal were set to play the Dutch side tonight, but with large numbers of officers working on plans for the funeral and the Queen’s lying in state, it was called off.
Instead, their match against Pep Guardiola’s champions has been postponed and they will now face PSV on October 20.