Stadium anthem booing condemned

God Save the Queen was drowned out by the boos of Welsh fans when it was played for the England team at the game between the two countries in Cardiff.

Sports stars and many fans have condemned the booing. England captain David Beckham said it inspired his team, while former Wales skipper Kevin Ratcliffe called it a "disgrace".

Do you think all national anthems should be respected? Or was this just part and parcel of sporting rivalry? Send us your views.

This debate is now closed. Below are a cross-section of comments reflecting the balance of opinion we received:

I am a Welshman who moved to Wiltshire in 1969. I am a Debenture Holder at the Millennium Stadium and because of that I had the opportunity to purchase tickets for the Wales v England game. My first love is rugby but I consider myself a sportsman and enjoy watching a number of sports. I have to say that I was appalled by the behaviour of the English and Welsh during the anthems. The anthems are sung with pride at Rugby matches but not it seams at Football matches. Perhaps it would be better not to have anthems at Football matches as the people who attend or support don't have any respect for it. Perhaps they don't know the words!!!
Peter Mathias, Marlborough, Wiltshire

I was at the game on Saturday, I didn't boo, but I did turn my back Jonathan, Yorkshire

Grow up lads, get a life. The only reason there's this Welsh vs English animosity is because people are stupid enough to keep on with it. Are we mature adults or are we toddlers? Learn to respect each other because you're the first to complain when someone doesn't respect you.
Poppy, Newport, South Wales

I'm an Englishman living in Wales, happily since 1996. It's rather pathetic that booing should have been a more important part of the match than spectating for fans from both sides of the border, but let's face it:

(1) The UK's 'national anthem' is a dirge and lacks all of the power, beauty and thrill of the Welsh anthem, which is 150 years old next year.

(2) The UK 'national anthem' was NOT supposed to be hijacked for England's personal use! If England can be allowed to do that then it should be adopted as England's and the other three parts of the UK allowed to choose their own.

(3) Finally, the 'national' (ie London centric) press wrote reams about England's match as if they were up against Johnny foreigner. Until the UK institutions commit to promoting all four parts of the UK equally then we'll always have this nonsense.
David, Cardiff

It's no longer sung, but represents the racist nature of the lyrics, and the real reason it is so despised by non-English members of the UK.

What a storm in a teacup - the biggest disgrace is that our "national" newspaper devoted their front page to it today! I was there and have been to all the home international's for the last 5 years, never heard so much booing but totally agreed with it - they booed us first in Old Trafford. As far as I'm aware they always boo their opposition's anthems whereas I can only remember Wales fans booing England and N. Ireland - it should be England getting all of this bad publicity not Wales! Typical!! Funny how the booing in Old Trafford didn't make it into the press, not even the Welsh press! Grrrr
Heledd (Flasher), Cardiff/ Aberystwyth, Wales

If respect for anthems is being discussed, can we bring up the issue of a well-known sports broadasting channel's treatment of the Welsh anthem on Saturday. One commemntator, who will remain nameless, spoke during Land of My Fathers, and actually announced that coverage would resume after the break before the anthem was even over. English football fans moaning about misconduct? Do me a favour!
Henry Jones, Llandudno

I was at the game on Saturday, I didn't boo, but I did turn my back.
Jonathan, Welsh, living in Yorkshire

utter disgrace. hot headed fans is acceptable but this display from the welsh was nothing but sheer ignorance.
Russell Kyle, Randalstown/N.Ireland

I had 2 England fans sat in front of me. How did I know they were English? They sat down during the Welsh national anthem. Megan, Cardiff

The English anthem is seen by many in Wales as that of the oppressor... Though I personally have more respect than to boo at another nations anthem, I don't believe in having to stand up for another nations anthem... My protest would be to sit down and ignore it, then sing our anthem loudly and clearly...
Hu, Rhondda

If you look at all the "you did it first...." comments it just brings it home to you the childish attitude of football supporters. But then, what can you expect of people who pay vast sums of money every week to let overpaid yobs govern how happy they feel on a Saturday night?
Lyndon, Cardiff, Wales

Every national anthem should always be respected, but when it is two fierce rivals who are playing, you can understand why they would boo. The Welsh fans only booed because it was England, however the English fans boo no matter who it is their team is playing. They simply got a taste of their own medicine at Cardiff.
Mark Sneddon, East Kilbride, Scotland

I'm a regular go and support every Wales game (both home and away), and never booed any National Anthem, even if it from our oldest rivals England. But considering the English fans behaviour last October at Old Trafford, when they booed our Anthem, it was hardly surprising. What more hardly surprising is that the media never commented over that incident.
Adrian, Cardiff

Irrespective of what other nations' fans do, the booing on Saturday was plain rude and disrespectful. It makes us look like a bunch of small-minded yobs. Shouldn't we treat visitors a bit better than that? And the entertainment - with a song apparently aimed at Mrs Beckham - was crass to the point of embarrassment.
Will, Cardiff

I think it would do no harm for many football supporters to take a long hard look at their conduct in general both in and away from the stadiums (and the players too). A look at the way Rugby fans conduct themselves (of all nations) would not go amiss
Barrie Harwood, Llandudno, North Wales

Its always amusing listening to the righteous comments of rugby fans. The only reason they don't boo national anthems is they are afraid they'll spill their pint! England get over it.
Peter, Merthyr, Wales

The Welsh didn't boo the English national anthem, they booed the arrogant misuse of the UK national anthem, which is the official national anthem of Wales, by the English. I was ashamed that the Scots booed the Italian anthem, but proud that the Welsh booed the typical arrogant English misuse of God Save the Queen. They've stopped using the Union Flag at last in favour the St George cross, it's about time they realised that England is NOT the same as Britain and got their own anthem.
Fraser, London

Whilst, as a Welshman, I would never boo the national anthem, I find the memories of the English somewhat short. The same was done to the Welsh anthem at Old Trafford. As I couldn't get a ticket for the Cardiff match I watched it on TV...where Martin Tyler talked all the way through the Welsh anthem. Much of the criticism, although perfectly valid, does come from one-eyed fans who believe that English fans are not like that. One final question, where was the BRITISH Broadcasting Corporation's similar thread after the Old Trafford match....that's right, there wasn't one.
HH, London

It is a fact that booing another country's anthem is wrong. No debate. As has been previously discussed, the only fans that did this at the Millennium Stadium were the English fans, because the Welsh fans booed the UK national anthem. So, where does that leave the debate? In light of the ubiquitous English imperialism present in all forms of media and the fact that Wales still exists in a state of enforced subservience to the English. Perhaps we ought consider the Welsh fans' reaction to 'God Save the Queen' an entirely appropriate, non-violent expression of national dissatisfaction with the current constitutional setup?
Richard Martin, Llandaf, Cymru

National anthems are a bit them against us, so it is positive and liberating that people don't want them. We are one earth with many cultures. Please don't let nationalism and the support of anthems cause a similar mess as was caused twice last century in the name of Nationalism. 14 - 18 and 39 to 45.
Robin , Edinburgh

The main point has been missed. God Save The Queen is the National Anthem of the united kingdom not England. If home internationals are to have the anthem played England should adopt their own and not use the U.K.s
Bryan, Droitwich England

I had 2 England fans sat in front of me. How did I know they were English? They sat down during the Welsh national anthem.
Megan, Cardiff

These people have no respect for patriotism, loyalty and country. Too bad the Tower isn't still available for the "accommodation"
Wayne, Washington, DC, USA

Why is it that we are only criticising the Welsh. Both sides were booing. Only reason Welsh supporters were louder was that there were more of them. Where were the questions at Old Trafford eh??
Matt Jones, Gloucestershire

ahhhh ! Only in football !! Professional Football's now become a game for over-paid girlie types who like to throw their rattles out of their prams when things don't go their way..... Time to grow up children...there's a lot more to worry about in the world than someone booing your National Anthem. get over it !!!
Stace, Merthyr.

I go to all the home Welsh International matches and I always respect the opposition team's national anthem. There are a lot of "fans" out there who need to take a good look at themselves. I would also like to add a large number of England fans booed the Welsh national anthem on Saturday and also drowned it out when we played at Old Trafford last year. I hope every football fan, no matter what their nationality, goes back to being civilised when it comes to national anthem's as soon as possible.
Mattie Boi, Bethesda, North Wales

I think the national anthems of different countries should be respected. This song goes to the heart of a country and should not be treated lightly by others.
Nelson, Cartersville, Ga. USA

I think it's a disgrace that the Welsh fans were booing to the national anthem. I'm Welsh and I feel ashamed and I wasn't even at the match Tracey, Swansea

I was at the game on Saturday and did try to sing god save the queen, to little avail. The crowd should have respected the anthem. I wonder how many actually "sang" the welsh anthem.
Steve Wright, Dinas Powys, Wales

I think that something should be done about it as booing seems to be unique to football and it is another example of the rude aggressive nature of football recently
Karleen, Cardiff

You cannot blame a so called mediocre football country (Wales as said by some of the English press) for booing the English anthem when there is such one sided opinions in every newspaper or TV programme in the run up to the game. the England fans boo every other countries national anthem. tit for tat I say. The so called mediocre country (Wales) ran the English ragged the second half of the game anyway.
Sam, Barry, Wales

There is sporting rivalry but there should also be respect. It is a game of football at the end of the day and feel ashamed that fellow countrymen are capable of being so pathetic.
Rosie, Swansea, Wales

Although the anthem was being sung for the visit of England, its is actually Wales anthem to, people seem to forget we are all BRITISH whether some like it or not..
Darren, Glasgow

I think its a disgrace that the Welsh fans were booing to the national anthem I'm welsh and I feel ashamed and i wasn't even at the match
Tracey , Swansea UK

Although I disagree with booing national anthems as a rule it might be worth considering the following: 1. England fans have by far the worst reputation for booing anthems as far as football goes - they've been doing it for decades and without impunity 2. I personally find God Save the Queen an offensive dirge - primarily because it's sung in praise of a person, rather than a nation, and is therefore a legitimate target on grounds of megalomania if nothing else! Only totalitarian states tend to operate on this basis. Jerusalem should be the English anthem. And if anyone booed that I (as a Welshman no less)certainly WOULD have a problem.
Craig Austin, London

Shock horror! Little country boos big country's anthem! There's always a few who boo the anthem of whoever Wales are playing, but the Welsh crowd generally treats visiting anthems with utmost respect myself. GSTQ was booed at the Northern Ireland game (and they booed back) and little was made of it. The English press attend a game and want to make a point. Did they highlight HWFN getting booed at Old Trafford? Does jumping on this issue deflect attention away from another scrappy English performance? This is the biggest storm in a teacup ever.
Russell, Ffynnon Taf/Cymru

This only becomes an issue when the English national anthem is on the receiving end of the boos Simon Lister, England

I was at the game on Saturday and the booing of the anthem is pretty pathetic, it does inspire the other team, so there is no benefit to doing it. To be fair when Wales were at Old Trafford the Welsh national anthem was drowned out by the English fans so its tit for tat really. England fans you should jump off your high horses, we are both as bad as each other and I don't condone it either way.
Ian Burley, Cardiff, Wales

Surely booing each other's anthems, players or teams is part of the fun of the game. If booing were banned, then football matches would have less of a cathartic effect on the fans and might lead to increased violence among fans.
Alex, UK

I don't really see what the fuss is about, its only a game at the end of the day and I don't see any problem with light hearted banter, it happens worldwide, GET OVER IT!
Ryan Christie, Aberdeen, Scotland

It just shows a lack of respect and the "yobbish" culture relating to football. Last season at Doncaster Rovers there was a minutes silence to show respect for the death of a previous chairman. The Opposition, Hartlepool fans booed halfway through. It is a shame because I don't think much can be done to resolve this lack of respect.
Russ, Sheffield

The fact that the same anthem is used for England and the UK is also a bone of contention, with many in Wales (and I suspect Scotland and NI) already upset at the constant replacement of individual nation titles by 'England' in the media.
Lloyd, Cardiff, Wales

This only becomes an issue when the 'English national anthem' is on the receiving end of the boos. The media are strangely quiet when the English fans boo every opposition's national anthem.
Simon Lister, England

If the booing was supposed to boost the England team performance then they should have been grateful otherwise they might well have lost the game..........
Beaso, Llantrisant

Well it just goes to prove that it is no longer about the game but about how much bad feeling can be displayed towards to opposing team. Football nowadays seems to be more about how much drink and abuse you can hurl! No wonder football fans abroad have the image of louts and hooligans and no respect for others.
Dan, Swansea, UK

Remember that this kind of behaviour only happens at football matches Stephen, Cardiff

Booing anthems is a total disgrace, and on Saturday it was done by both the Welsh and the English fans. But this is simply in the nature of the Football fan. It is not a reflection of the nations involved, nor their relationship with each other! Football is a Gentleman's game, played and supported by Hooligans. Rugby is a Hooligans game, played and supported by Gentlemen.
John, Cwmbran, Wales

Having attended Wales versus England rugby matches at the Millennium Stadium, it's easy to see how shocking the contrast between supporters' attitudes are. As bitter as the rivalry is between Wales and England in rugby (bar a few idiots), Welsh fans remain silent during the English anthems. In my opinion, it's yet another example of how ignorant football supporters are. They think they're trying to disturb the players' concentration and show their disapproval, but the only thing they're showing is their total pig-headedness and brainless attitude. Another example is how the supporters are separated in the city and at the ground, and the massive police presence - things that are totally unheard of at rugby internationals. Some soccer fans like to mock rugby by calling it "a game for thugs", but maybe they should look a little closer to home first.....
Dave, Rhondda, Wales

I was in Old Trafford last year and the Welsh anthem was drowned by boos...I don't recall a fuss being made then!... must be another case of selective memory
Colin Thomas, Wales

In this particular instance, where it was performed specifically as the English national anthem, then it was a very sad response by the Welsh fans. They should respect the English anthem, as the rugby fans do. However, when God Save the Queen is performed as the 'British' national anthem then such a response is understandable.
KJames, Cardiff, Wales

Remember that this kind of behaviour only happens at football matches. Wales Vs England in rugby is a very civilised affair. So much so that the fans are always mixed together with no sign of trouble at all.
Stephen, Cardiff

If god save the monarch is GB's national anthem, why bother singing anything at all at home nation internationals?
Steve Smith, Swindon, England

Absolute disgrace. Total lack of respect displayed.
Paul Dack, Newport, Gwent

The anthems should be respected. It is about time that England got their own anthem. All of the other home nations have managed it.
Adam, Wales

It just shows what the "fans" of football for what they really are - Hooligans and Thugs
John Carter, Bath, Somerset

They booed us at Old Trafford. I was there. So its a bit of revenge act.
Ed Williams, Wales

David Beckham has a cheek to moan about God Save the Queen being drowned out by boos. England fans are the worst for this. Remember what goes around comes around
Gethin, UK