Band were oblivious to anti-IRA chanting

The England band was unaware it was providing background music for anti-IRA chants in Tuesday’s friendly in Scotland, its leader has said.

The England band, loosely linked with the FA, unwittingly provided the tune for “Fuck the IRA” chants in the first half at Celtic Park. Band leader Hemmingham insists he thought the band was providing the tune to a song called “Follow England Away”.

“We were absolutely not aware of it (the IRA chants),” Hemmingham said.

“The FA have apologised and we would go along with that if anyone was offended.”

The FA will hope the chants do not resurface again, particularly as England play Ireland in Dublin next June.

Leading anti-discrimination campaigner Piara Powar said: “When England play (against Ireland) it is always potentially an edgy game so it would be useful if England got it right before,” said Powar, chair of Football Against Racism in Europe Network.