FIFA boss Blatter questions national anthems tradition

THE tradition of national anthems being played before international matches is under threat after FIFA president Sepp Blatter suggested they could be banned to avert crowd trouble.

It has become common for supporters to whistle or jeer opponents’ anthems, and Blatter believes football may be better off by abandoning them.

Irish Football Association president Jim Boyce called for a ‘football anthem’ after some Northern Ireland fans booed the Welsh national anthem before a World Cup qualifier.

This month’s play-off between Switzerland and Turkey prompted Blatter’s investigation. Anthems were heckled before both legs.

He said: “I feel this whistling demonstrates a great lack of respect and disparaging to national pride. I wonder, therefore, whether it makes sense to keep playing the respective anthems. We will consider that at least.”