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July 31, 2012

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Giggs urges Welsh fans not to boo British anthem

BRITAIN'S Welsh captain Ryan Giggs hopes fans do not boo the British national anthem when the team plays its decisive group match against Uruguay in Wales tomorrow.

The anthem could get an icy response in Cardiff because of the Football Association of Wales' opposition to the idea of a British team, which it shares with the Scots and Northern Irish who fear the concept may erode their independence within FIFA, world soccer's governing body.

Many Welsh, Irish and Scottish fans feel the same way. The four parts of the United Kingdom, including England, compete as individual teams in non-Olympic international soccer.

Any snub of the song before the match in Wales would embarrass Olympic organizers.

Some Welsh players, including Giggs, did not sing "God Save The Queen" before Sunday's game or against Senegal in their opening match last Thursday.

Cardiff-born Giggs hopes Welsh fans don't boo the song even though, in a quite convoluted explanation, he said he didn't sing it for personal reasons.



 

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