Disgruntled fans could get their wish over a change in the way national anthems are done after a reported meeting of the World Cup organisers.
Supporters, pundits and ex-players have united in their frustration over the “butchering” of national anthems since the World Cup started last Friday.
A unique innovation in the 2023 tournament in France has seen a recorded children’s choir played over the stadiums’ PA system.
This has been met with near-unanimous criticism, with fans feeling that the recording is not in synch and dampens the mood before kick-off.
For the love of god give everyone back their national anthems – itโs killing that 5min pre game buzz!!
โ Rob Kearney (@KearneyRob) September 9, 2023
Can whoever is in charge of all the anthems at the @rugbyworldcup please stop butchering the life out of them!
โ Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) September 9, 2023
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ด๐ผ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ช๐ ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ต๐ฒ๐บ๐? ๐ถ
“The anthems have been terrible haven’t they!”
“It’s such a disappointment.”
– Brian O’Driscoll @VodafoneIreland | #TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/4rvMltDIf6
โ Off The Ball (@offtheball) September 10, 2023
However, according to the reputable French newspaperย Midi Olympique, the World Cup organising committee is holding meetings to determine whether to ditch the choir.
An alternative idea which has been suggested is to start with the choir, but turn it off halfway into the anthem and let the crowd and players finish it.
๐ฃ “Is abomination too strong?”
๐ฃ “No absolutely not!”
๐ฃ “They’ve turned a few into Christmas songs!”The lads on the big talking point at the Rugby World Cup, the anthems. ๐ถ๐#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/VIKe0BcYTm
โ Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 10, 2023
Photo: Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP