IRELAND'S deputy premier has criticised the booing of God Save the King during a Republic of Ireland-England game over the weekend.
Fans booed the English team's anthem prior to the start of the game in Dublin, but Tanaiste Micheal Martin said the majority of the Ireland supporters at the stadium respected it being sung.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended the match along with Irish Premier Simon Harris after the two leaders held a bilateral meeting earlier in the day.
England won the Nations League game 2-0.
The high-profile encounter was also marked by boos for England stars Declan Rice and Jack Grealish, who both switched international allegiances from Ireland earlier in their careers.
Rice and Grealish answered their critics by scoring the two goals for England.
The game also drew focus on interim England manager Lee Carsley over his choice not to sing God Save the King.
Former midfielder Carsley played for the Republic of Ireland at international level.
On a visit to Newry on Monday, Martin was asked about the booing of the English anthem.
“I wasn’t happy with it,” he told reporters.
“I think when we’re hosting any country in the world, we should pay respect to their anthem, just as they should pay respect to our anthem.
“But the vast, vast majority of fans did pay respect, but you get that, I mean it’s football. And I thought overall the match was played in a wonderful atmosphere, there was a very happy atmosphere in the Aviva.
“We didn’t win. I think the English team were very strong on the night, and there was some very good football played. We could have had one or two.
“And I’m delighted that Chiedozie (Ogbene) got man of the match because he hails from Cork and actually played with my GAA club when he was a young fella. So we’ve a particular interest in his fortunes and he’s done very well with the green shirt on.
“And I think the future augers well for the Irish team and I wish them well. And it was a very happy occasion.
"And it was good to have the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and indeed Hilary Benn (Northern Ireland Secretary) at the match as well. We had a good night.”
