The Premier League has written to its 20 clubs to suggest that they play the national anthem at their matches next weekend to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III.
There is a full program of matches over Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with five on Saturday itself when the Coronation will take place. Although the Premier League has not laid down any edicts on how the Coronation should be marked by the clubs, it has “strongly suggested” the anthem being played and depictions of the new king on stadium screens
Although the national anthem is played before England internationals and the FA Cup final, it is not featured at club games. It is likely to be met with a mixed response according to the fans in the stadium. Some fans of Liverpool, who have a game at Anfield against Brentford on Saturday evening, have at times expressed hostility towards the anthem.
The Premier League has suggested a range of ways in which the club can mark the occasions including items in the matchday program, messages on the PA and posts on social media accounts.
The Premier League is one of Britain’s leading cultural exports and while there is conventionally a tendency to stay away from major demonstrations of symbols of statehood, on this occasion it was felt appropriate. It will be up to the individual clubs how much or how little they choose to do.
The foremost royal in football is William, Prince of Wales, who is president of the Football Association and made an unprecedented intervention during the Super League crisis of April 2021. His remarks in opposition to the breakaway project were confirmation – of any were needed – to the six English rebels that it was doomed. The Prince of Wales is a keen Aston Villa fan and most recently attended their win over Nottingham Forest at Villa Park with his son Prince George.