The Football Association contacted members of the England band to stop playing a particular song that prompted anti-IRA chants during the clash with Scotland last night.
According to The Guardian, a significant number of the 5,000 England fans who travelled to last night’s clash in Celtic Park chanted “f**k the IRA” during the first half of England’s 3-1 friendly victory over Scotland.
A number of England supporters bellowed the chant when replacing the lyrics to ‘Follow England away’, a song regularly performed by the England band who have been playing at England matches since 1996.
As the chant continued throughout the first half, members of the FA were forced to contact band members at half-time to instruct them to stop playing the song and there was no repeat of the chanting after the interval.
The Guardian report that the FA intend to review their relationship with the band – the FA lobby on their behalf to allow them to bring instruments into away grounds – with a view to possibly breaking off their relationship, while Roy Hodgson said afterwards that the chanting was not something he would condone.
“I don’t condone any chanting, I’ve got to say,” said Hodgson.
“My concentration was on the football match entirely, even if I was aware the crowd were tremendously supportive. But unfortunately chanting and people singing songs which no one in football condones go on. I don’t condone it.
“If anyone was offended, I’m sure the FA would apologise to them. All we can do is play our football and hope our fans behave themselves and enjoy our football.”
