Show some respect: George Peat says booing national anthems cannot be tolerated. Pic: © SNS Group
George Peat, the SFA's acting chief executive, has criticised Scotland fans in the strongest terms after Liechtenstein’s national anthem was booed at Hampden Park. Peat, who is also president of the SFA, spoke of his embarrassment at the actions of a section of the home support prior to the Euro 2012 qualifying match.
Liechtenstein’s national anthem, Oben am jungen Rhein, is sung to the tune of God Save the Queen. As players from the tiny nation sang their anthem before kick-off, boos rang out from around Hampden Park.
In a statement issued by the Scottish Football Association on Thursday, George Peat revealed that he had apologised to the delegation from the Liechtenstein FA and condemned the supporters who had disrespected Scotland’s opponents.
“I was embarrassed and extremely disappointed by the disgraceful behaviour of some of our supporters during the Liechtenstein national anthem at Hampden Park last night,” Peat said in the statement.
“The Scotland fans have worked hard to earn their reputation throughout the world as fun-loving and respectful followers of football.
“Last night, those who chose to boo our opponents’ anthem only served to tarnish that reputation.
“I apologise unreservedly to our visitors for the crass reaction to their anthem, just as I did in private last night to the Liechtenstein delegation. It must not be forgotten that all nations must abide by FIFA’s Fair Play policy and last night’s behaviour does nothing to help Scotland’s image.”
The SFA president has condemned the treatment of opposition fans before. In 2007, following a similar incident before a match with Lithuania, Peat said he hoped there would be no repeat of the booing.
"It is important to show respect to our visitors, just as we would expect Flower of Scotland to be respected when we travel abroad, and I hope that this kind of behaviour is never repeated at Hampden Park,” he said at the time.
Peat is no fan of Scotland’s national anthem, having said in the same year that he hoped an alternative to Flower of Scotland could be found.
"I think it's a total dirge and we need a new one," he said three years ago.
“When the song is sung at Hampden it is reasonable but when we go abroad it's embarrassing. It's played at about a third of the speed it should be and the fans end up four or five bars ahead."
