The English FA have issued an apology for the anti-IRA singing in last night's game with Scotland at Celtic Park. An FA official had to ask the official England supporter's band to stop playing the tune for the chants.
Band leader John Hemmingham told the BBC that the tune being played was intended for another song.
All the fans around us were singing "Follow England Away". It was only when a band member saw on Twitter that some people were saying we were playing anti-IRA songs that we became aware. Then we immediately stopped and played something else.
Manager Roy Hodgson said after the game "If anyone was offended, I'm sure the FA would like to apologise to them". England won the game 3-1 after goals from Wayne Rooney (2) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Most of the viewing public were very confused by the chants:
What does the IRA have to do with Scotland v England? I'm baffled.
— pablo5 (@pablo567) November 18, 2014
Don't know what the IRA have got to do with Scotland v England — Celtic 126 (@pau1888_) November 18, 2014
The English FA were not pleased that the band were playing the tune for the anti IRA chant, and talks between the two parties will take place. Police Scotland reported no football-related disorder in the immediate aftermath of the match and said they had not received any reports of offensive chants.
[BBC]
