Football call-off cheated the fans
I DISAGREED with the decision to postpone all football games on the Saturday following the Queen’s death. This was a missed opportunity for fans throughout the country to show their respect and admiration for Her Majesty. At Deepdale, home of Preston North End, last Tuesday night in our local derby against Burnley, a minute’s silence was observed impeccably, followed by the tenor Russell Watson giving a magnificent rendering of the national anthem, accompanied by a packed stadium. The effect was overwhelming.
JIM OLDCORN, Great Harwood, Lancs. THE sight and sound of proud Scots in the shape of Rangers FC supporters belting out the national anthem before their Champions League game against Napoli put calls for Scottish independence in their proper place. Scotland won’t be told when and what to say by Europe. Well done.
B. KNIGHT, Epping, Essex. A PAT on the back to Rangers for resisting UEFA’s proposed ban on British teams playing the national anthem before kick-off in ties last week.
However, I am disappointed that several English clubs did not do likewise. I think the term is ‘chickening out’ by the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, who accepted the ban — although Chelsea fans did sing the national anthem after the minute’s silence.
It was an own goal by these timid clubs. Our fabulous Queen deserved better.
DEREK BROWN, Nuneaton, Warks. DUNDEE United was one of the Scottish teams I followed. After their fans’ show of gross disrespect — vile chanting during the minute’s silence for the Queen — before their game against Rangers on Saturday, I’m looking for a replacement team.
BOB TERRY, Thanet, Kent.
ONE of the many challenges facing our new King is the need to improve the unity of our country.
In the period between the Queen’s death and her funeral, this was graphically illustrated in Scottish football by the contrast between the tributes from Rangers and the behaviour of many Celtic fans, who sang an anti-royal song. Some divides still run very deep.