European football’s governing body has banned British football clubs from playing the national anthem before matches in honour of the Queen.
Manchester City, Chelsea and Rangers all asked for permission to play God Save The King before kick-off in their home Champions League clashes tonight.
But Uefa refused, claiming it had to ensure a ‘subdued atmosphere’ without any ‘celebratory activities’ before games.
Tory MPs reacted furiously, accusing Uefa of being ‘completely unreasonable’.
Last night, sources said sports minister Nigel Huddleston is very concerned about the decision.
It is understood that Rangers intend to defy the ban and will play the anthem before their match against Napoli tonight, following a period of silence. If English clubs do likewise, the consequences could include a fine.
Fans may well decide to sing God Save the King despite the ban. Chelsea are closely associated with the Chelsea Pensioners, based at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, in west London, which was founded by King Charles II in 1682.
Rangers have long-established links to the royals. Former manager and Sportsmail columnist Graeme Souness wrote this week of how he had a portrait of the Queen installed in the home dressing room shortly after taking over at the club.
Manchester City are understood to have been keen to give their supporters the opportunity to pay their respects to the Queen by singing the anthem.
Greg Hands, the Tory MP for Chelsea and Fulham, said last night: ‘This behaviour by Uefa is completely unreasonable. The teams and their supporters would welcome the chance to celebrate our new monarch. In Britain the monarch is above politics.’
Former culture secretary and fellow Chelsea fan David Mellor said: ‘If Uefa can get it wrong, they will. How can there be any good reason to ban the national anthem?’
He added that the official ban would not stop fans from singing the anthem.
Ex-sports minister Tracey Crouch said: ‘Uefa’s president last week expressed his sincere condolences at the Queen’s death, calling her one of the world’s most respected figures. This week they are banning the opportunity for fans to belt out the anthem in recognition of her passing.’
Teams playing in English Football League matches last night played the anthem.
And just hours after the Queen’s death was confirmed on Thursday last week, West Ham fans sang it during their Conference League victory over Romanians FCSB.
Uefa confirmed that it has received multiple requests from clubs to play God Save The King.
It has also banned player mascots and banner-waving in the centre circle. But there can be a minute’s silence and black armbands worn if requested.
A Uefa spokesman said: ‘There will be no anthems played . . . on the basis of maintaining a consistent pre-match ceremony with a subdued atmosphere...’
Uefa has previously come under fire for its pitiful record of punishing racist behaviour while issuing heavier sanctions for more trivial matters.
For example, in 2012, Porto were fined £16,700 for their fans’ racist abuse of Mario Balotelli during a clash with Manchester City — but City were fined £25,000 just for being late on to the pitch for the second half of a game against Sporting Lisbon.