Football news: After screams were heard during a minute’s silence for the Queen at a Scottish Premiership game, Sky Sports has apologized to its viewers.
The Sunday afternoon match between St. Mirren and Celtic at the SMISA Stadium featured anti-monarchist music. If you despise the royal family, clap your hands, a section of Celtic fans raised a banner and a similar chant followed.
The match was broadcast on Sky Sports with commentator Ian Crocker expressing regret for anyone the chants might have hurt. He said, “We sincerely apologize if anything we said offended you. Most people were respectful, but some were not.”
At the age of 96, Queen Elizabeth II passed away at her Balmoral residence in Scotland earlier this month. After 70 years leading the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s death ended her reign. Now the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth are ruled by King Charles III, the queen’s son.
Football news: period of mourning in the UK
After Monday’s official funeral, the ongoing national period of national mourning in honor of the Queen’s life and service will come to an end. Her Majesty has received tributes from millions of people around the world, including well-known soccer players.
However, not everyone supports the monarchy and some people have expressed their opinions during this time. That includes Celtic fans, who displayed a banner reading “f*** the crown” during their previous European game against Shakhtar Donetsk.
The public reaction to the acts of the Celtic fans in question is polarizing. While some people say that monarchy supporters have every right to demonstrate against the monarchy, others think that banners and shouting are insulting at a time of national grief.
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou asked fans to observe the moment of silence for the Queen ahead of the team’s game against St. Mirren on Sunday. UEFA is taking action against the Glasgow club for their banner against Shakhtar.
What did Postecoglou say?
At his pre-game press conference on Friday afternoon, Postecoglou commented: “I have the same message for our fans that we always have. We will follow the rules as I indicated before the game. [against Shakhtar]. On Wednesday night, we wear black armbands.”
Postecoglou also said: “We will fulfill all our duties and responsibilities as a football club, so I think there will be a minute of applause on Sunday. We will do it with respect. We expect the same from our fans.”
Postecoglou went on to say, “I will not speak for anyone else’s followers. I will take care of our own team, our own fans. As I have said, we will take the necessary measures and we will do it, as a football club, I think, in a reasonably respectable way.
Stephen Robinson, manager of St. Mirren, stated on Friday: “We will show them the utmost respect. We simply ask for civility from everyone.”
