SPFL in God Save the King request refusal as 'decision left to individual clubs' before coronation games

The SPFL will leave the decision to individual clubs over whether to play the UK national anthem on the weekend of the coronation of King Charles.

Charles will be formally proclaimed King in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday and the English Premier League and English Football League have asked home clubs to play God Save the King as players stand around the centre circle. Clubs are also reportedly being encouraged to beam the official portrait of the King and The Queen Consort and the Coronation Logo on the big screens and on social media and an article in the matchday programmes.

However, Sky Sports News report that Hampden chiefs WON’T follow their counterparts south of the border this weekend. Hibs, Motherwell, Ross County and St Johnstone are all at home on Saturday when Charles will succeed to the throne. Hearts then host champions-elect Celtic on Sunday lunchtime with Rangers at home to Aberdeen in the final two matches of the first post-split fixtures.

Dundee United fans disrupted a minute's silence for The Queen when they were the visitors at Ibrox following the monarch's passing while Celtic fans displayed anti-Royal banners before their game against St Mirren on the same weekend.

Jurgen Klopp was asked about the move in England with Liverpool fans booing the national anthem in the past. The Reds host Brentford in a live Sky Sports encounter on Saturday, the day of the coronation. The Anfield boss said: “That’s a club decision. I am the German guy in the club, so what should I say about that?”

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