イングランド暫定監督、国歌を歌わず物議　本人は多様な意見尊重

【ダブリンＡＦＰ＝時事】サッカーイングランド代表のリー・カーズリー暫定監督が、７日に行われたＵＥＦＡネーションズリーグのアイルランド戦で国歌を歌わなかった物議を醸す判断について、さまざまな意見を尊重すると強調した。（写真は、サッカーイングランド代表のリー・カーズリー暫定監督）
　カーズリー監督は、イングランドＵ－２１代表を率いた後、ギャレス・サウスゲイト監督の後任として暫定でフル代表の指揮官を務めているが、現役時代にアイルランド代表として４０試合に出場しており、初陣となるこの一戦では微妙な立場に置かれていた。
　前日には、試合に集中したいため国歌は歌わないと話して、特に熱心なイングランド代表ファンの怒りを呼んでいたが、注目が集まる中でこの日は国歌演奏中に沈黙を守り、自身の意思を貫いた。
　カーズリー暫定監督は、国歌をめぐる騒ぎに集中を乱されないよう心がけていたと明かし、「もちろん、きょうも準備期間も影響はなかった。人々の意見を全面的に尊重する。自分としても経験のないことだったが、私は両国の国歌を深く尊重する」と語った。
　さらに納得できない人もいるのを受け入れた上で、自身の姿勢を変えるつもりはないと話し、「ひどいことをされたとか、傷つけられたという風には思わない。選手が私の隣で国家を歌うチームでプレーしたこともあるし、選手やコーチが歌わないチームでプレーしたこともある」と明かしている。
　試合はデクラン・ライスとジャック・グリーリッシュのゴールでイングランドが２－０の勝利を収め、リーグＢのグループ２で白星スタートを飾った。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2024/09/09-17:13）

England interim boss Lee Carsley insists he respects the debate sparked by his controversial decision not to sing the national anthem before Saturday's 2-0 win against Ireland.
Carsley was in the spotlight at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin as he maintained his policy of keeping quiet during the anthem of teams he represents at international level.
Ahead of his first game in charge of England, the 50-year-old claimed he does not sing the anthem because he wants to focus on the match ahead.
But Carsley was in an awkward position as he played 40 times for Ireland and coached England's Under-21s prior to taking over from Gareth Southgate as Three Lions manager on a temporary basis.
The former Everton midfielder's anthem stance has angered the more patriotic sections of England's fanbase, yet Carsley is determined not to let the row distract him.
It has definitely not affected my day or preparation. I fully respect people's opinions. It's something that I've never done but I fully respect both national anthems, Carsley said after goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish gave him a winning start in the Nations League Group B2.
Today would probably be one of the proudest days of my career to lead an England team out in Dublin. You definitely couldn't have written it.
I don't feel hard done by or aggrieved. I've played in teams out there where players are belting the anthem out next to me but also I've played in teams where players don't sing, or coaches.
I don't think it makes me or anyone that doesn't any less committed.
- 'A bit hostile' -
Carsley accepts that not everyone will agree with his decision over the anthem but he won't be deterred from his stance.
I had a great experience when I played for the Republic of Ireland and I'm having a really good experience now in terms of the responsibility that I've got of being head coach interim for the senior team, he said.
You've got to accept that with that does come a bit of judgement. It is something I don't feel hard done by. I respect everyone's opinion and we move forward.
'God Save the King' will ring out again when England welcome Finland to Wembley on Tuesday for another Nations League tie.
Carsley should arrive at Wembley in confident mood after his side delivered a vibrant display that offered hope of a new, adventurous era for England.
This was a more eye-catching England after the conservatism of the Southgate era culminated in a 2-1 loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final in July.
Arsenal midfielder Rice, who switched allegiance to England after making three senior appearances for Ireland, and Manchester City winger Grealish, who made the same decision after representing the Republic at under-21 level, were both jeered by the 50,000 crowd in Dublin.
But Carsley said he was always confident both players would be able to cope with the scrutiny.
I'm pleased with it but not surprised. I think they've both been in football long enough now to understand and respect that it was going to be a little bit hostile at times, but in the right way, he said.
Obviously, it's great for them two that they've scored the goals but more importantly that the team has won and they've kept a clean sheet.
Carsley's own Irish history led to an amusing pre-match moment as he headed to the wrong bench at the Aviva Stadium.
I did go down the tunnel and turn right, he said. As you know, I spent a lot of time on the bench so I know exactly where that is!
Then I realised that no one was on there and that the other coaches were on the other bench, so it was quickly resolved.