Gary Neville, the former Manchester United and England defender, has revealed why he refused to sing the national anthem during his first major tournament with the Three Lions. The 85-cap international made the decision at Euro 96, a choice he later described as a mistake.
Neville's Protest Against FA Chairman
Neville's refusal was born out of protest at being ordered to do so by FA chairman Geoff Thompson. The full-back was still establishing himself in the England setup when Thompson contacted him after a 1995 match against Japan, demanding an explanation for his silence during the anthem.
In a column for The Mail, Neville wrote: "He (Thompson) only ever sought out one conversation with me. Did he want to pick my brains on World Cup preparation? Or ask how the FA could help behind the scenes? No, Mr Thompson wanted to know why I didn't sing the national anthem."
Thompson reportedly said: "Gary, we'd rather appreciate it if you joined in." Neville explained that no disrespect was intended, adding: "I preferred to spend those few minutes, as I'd done all my career, focusing on the match. And that was the extent of my dealings with the chairman of the FA."
Reflection on Euro 96
Years later, having moved into punditry, Neville reflected on his decision as a mistake. "I didn't sing it the first time I played for England," he said. "Partly because I thought, 'I'm serious about my work and I'm not singing before a game.'"
The debate over singing the national anthem has resurfaced, with German manager Thomas Tuchel also choosing not to sing God Save the King during the 2026 World Cup. There is no official English national anthem, but the British anthem is played before England matches.
Public Opinion on the Anthem
A recent poll of 4,000 readers found that 45% wanted to keep God Save the King, while the remainder were split between Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory, and I Vow to Thee My Country. During the 2026 World Cup, Oasis's "Wonderwall" became an unofficial anthem for fans, with Tuchel praising its role in connecting the team and supporters.
However, after England's semi-final defeat to Argentina, the post-match renditions of Wonderwall are unlikely to continue. The team faced France in the third-place play-off.
