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Players from Northern Ireland stand for their anthem at the Aviva Stadium game with Scotland in February. INPHO/Presseye/Darren Kidd
On song

'God Save the Queen' set for Aviva Stadium airing

The Irish Football Association denies speculation that the British anthem won’t be played at the all-Ireland Carling Nations Cup clash over security fears.

THE IFA HAS confirmed that God Save the Queen will be played before the Republic of Ireland’s forthcoming Carling Nations Cup tie against Northern Ireland.

There had been speculation that the anthem wouldn’t be played before the Aviva Stadium clash on 24 May for security reasons.

However, David Currie, IFA head of international administration has told TheScore.ie that God Save the Queen will in fact be played.

“It was agreed before the tournament that all four nations’ anthems and flags would be on display for all matches and as far as I’m aware, nothing has changed since then,” he said.

“That was agreed in our last meeting with the FAI and I’ve heard nothing since to suggest otherwise.

“I don’t envisage any problems. It was already played before the Scotland match (in the Carling Nations Cup) back in February so this will be no different.”

FAI chief executive John Delaney said that he had no problem with the anthem being played but suggested that the final call would be made after consulting the Gardai.

“Personally, I’d have no difficulty with it,” Delaney told the Belfast Telegraph.

“It was played in Croke Park for the rugby (Ireland v England in 2007) so I wouldn’t have any difficulty with it at all. We’ll leave that to the security guys to discuss it with the IFA and do what they feel would be appropriate.”

However, the IFA are unaware of any further meetings to discuss the issue so it seems likely that God Save the Queen will be played before the Dublin match.

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