Tánaiste Micheál Martin has denounced the English national anthem booing that occurred before to last Saturday’s soccer match in Dublin between the English and the Republic of Ireland, reports RTE.
Mr. Martin maintained that the game was a “very happy occasion” overall and that the great majority of Irish people in the stadium did respect the singing of God Save the King.
Following their bilateral meeting earlier in the day, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Simon Harris attended the match.
The Nations League match was won 2-0 by England, reports RTE.
Boos were also directed at England talents Declan Rice and Jack Grealish during the high-profile match. Both players had previously transferred from Ireland to their home country.
The two goals for England were scored by Rice and Grealish.
The England manager-in-waiting, Lee Carsley, came under fire during the match for declining to sing the national anthem, reports RTE.
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Carsley was a former midfield player who represented Ireland internationally.
When Mr. Martin was in Newry, County Down, he was questioned about the jeering of the English national song.
“I wasn’t happy with it. I think when we’re hosting any country in the world, we should pay respect to their anthem, just as they should pay respect to our anthem. But the vast, vast majority of fans did pay respect, but you get that, I mean it’s football. And I thought overall the match was played in a wonderful atmosphere, there was a very happy atmosphere in the Aviva,” he told reporters, reports RTE.
“We didn’t win. I think the English team were very strong on the night, and there was some very good football played. We could have had one or two. And I’m delighted that Chiedozie (Ogbene) got man of the match because he hails from Cork and actually played with my GAA club when he was a young fella. So we’ve a particular interest in his fortunes and he’s done very well with the green shirt on. And I think the future augers well for the Irish team and I wish them well. And it was a very happy occasion. And it was good to have the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and indeed (Northern Ireland Secretary) Hilary Benn at the match as well. We had a good night,” reports RTE.
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