A civic organisation has urged the selection of a fresh national anthem for the UK following the declaration of interim England manager Lee Carsley that he won’t sing God Save the King ahead of his team’s clash against the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League. The encounter in Dublin serves as the first one under his leadership for the Birmingham-born Carsley, who previously represented the rival nation 40 times as a player.
Carsley suggested on Friday that he might abstain from participating in the anthem’s rendition at the Aviva Stadium. He related this to the gap from warming up to stepping on the pitch and the pause caused by the anthems, something he never used to do. His attention, he explained, was highly concentrated on the game and his initial steps therein. He indicated this level of focus endured from his playing days to his coaching career, triggering suggestions from some critics that he should face dismissal for his refusal to sing the national anthem while in Dublin.
Despite this, Republic, an advocacy group seeking the abolishment of monarchy for an elected leader, argued that the controversy ignited by the manager’s revelation justifies the need for a new national anthem. They contended in a statement that while Carsley is within his rights to abstain from singing the anthem, it serves as wake-up call that a new nation’s song that reflects the values of the people rather than a divinely appointed monarch is required in the UK. The group maintained that as a democratic nation that values freedom of speech, including the right to decline deference to a king, everyone should freely sing the national anthem without conflicting with deeply-held convictions.
Carsley assumed leadership of the team from the Football Association in August to lead the squad against Ireland, and Finland at Wembley on Tuesday following Gareth Southgate’s resignation subsequent to England’s Euro 2024 final loss against Spain.