England caretaker manager Lee Carsley has angered fans after failing to sing the national anthem during the Three Lions’ game against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
Carsley’s managerial career has gotten off to a controversial start at the Aviva Stadium as he leads the team into their first game in tonight’s Nations League opener.
His tenure got off to an embarrassing start in the build-up to the match after he sat on the Irish bench by accident and had to be helped into the right spot by staff.
The match started well with England scoring in the 11th minute thanks to a Declan Rice shot into the top corner, followed by a Jack Grealish goal in the 26th minute.
But despite the strong performance, fans took to social media to slam Carsely’s decision not to sing the national anthem as “embarrassing” and said he “should be ashamed of himself” after the “huge error in judgment.”
Carsley (left) admitted he has found it difficult to sing anthems before matches and opted not to sing in Dublin on Saturday.
England players sang the anthem at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday
Born in Birmingham, Carsley went on to represent the Republic of Ireland at international level.
Carsley, who was born in Birmingham but represented the Republic of Ireland at full international level, had warned before the match that he would not sing God Save the King.
The match is expected to be the start of a six-game trial for Carsley, which could lead to him being permanently promoted from his role as Under-21 head coach.
The 50-year-old insisted he would be too focused on the game ahead and on Saturday afternoon he was as good as his word, staring blankly ahead as the home fans loudly booed the anthem.
“This (singing the anthem) is something I always had problems with when I played for Ireland,” Carsley said on Friday.
“The time between warming up, entering the field and the delay with the anthems is something I have never done.
“I was always very focused on the game and my first actions. During that period I realized that I was very careful not to let my mind wander.
‘I was really focused on football and I’ve carried that over into training.
‘We also played the national anthem with the under-21 team and at that moment I was concentrating. I was thinking about how the opponent was going to position themselves and our first actions in the match.
“I fully respect both anthems and understand how much they mean to both countries.”
But despite Carsley’s arguments, England fans were quick to share their outrage at his actions on social media after the match.
One wrote: “Really embarrassing from Lee Carsley. Quick way to make fans dislike you.”
Another commented: “If you can’t put your heart and soul into the job, then step aside and wait for the job to come along in Ireland.”
Someone else said on Twitter/X: ‘So Lee Carsley couldn’t sing the national anthem, God Save the King! He should be ashamed of himself. I’m ashamed of him. A huge error of judgement by him and the FA.’
Meanwhile, another poster wrote: “So Lee Carsley, the manager of the England men’s football team, won’t be singing the national anthem! God bless him! He’s focusing on football, not the national anthem. Why be the manager of England if you can’t be bothered to respect England?”
Former England international Mark Wright said before the match that he “doesn’t understand where Carsley is coming from”.
England fans were quick to share their outrage at Lee Carsely’s decision on social media during the match.
Members of Carsley’s support staff, including former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole (right), sang “God Save The King”
The start of England’s Nations League campaign will serve as an audition for the interim manager
In an article published in Mail Sport, Wright said he felt patriotic while singing the national anthem during his 45-cap international career.
He drew a comparison to the pride shown by Carsley’s predecessor Gareth Southgate when singing the national anthem, saying: “Deep down, supporters want an English manager who sings the anthem with the same pride as any of his players.”
“You have to accept other people’s positions, but ideally everyone would express their feelings to the country, including the coach,” Wright wrote.
“That’s what I think. It’s a delicate subject these days. We’re all different.”
Carsley (centre) has not previously sung the anthem as England Under-21 head coach.
‘Maybe Lee doesn’t want to disrespect the Republic of Ireland team he once played for.
‘He took a stand because he thought he wouldn’t have any opportunities as an English player, and in life you have to respect other people’s decisions.’
talkSPORT presenter Jamie O’Hare went further, claiming Carsley had already “lost the entire nation” before a ball had even been kicked.
“What do people think about Carsley not wanting to sing the national anthem?” O’Hara began.
“That’s fine by me, see you later, you just lost the entire nation before you’ve even kicked a ball. Thanks for coming, Lee.”