Rory Best has questioned the use of 'God Save the Queen' by the Northern Ireland national football team as their chosen anthem before matches.
Best was an Ulster and Ireland regular throughout a long career in rugby and previously confirmed that he identifies as both British and Irish.
There were never any obstacles for Best in representing his country and he ultimately became the captain of the Irish team.
On the UTV documentary 'Game of Two Halves', Best put forward the argument that the usage of 'God Save the Queen' by the Northern Ireland national football team lacked inclusivity for squad members of a nationalist persuasion.
He said: “You could liken it to the way Irish rugby was pre-Ireland’s Call."
“For me, it’s potentially not the way an anthem should be. I understand that God Save The Queen is Northern Ireland’s anthem because we’re part of the United Kingdom.
“It also always strikes a chord with me, that’s what you hear when you’re in Twickenham, and you’re getting ready to play England.
“You don’t want to say that you find it strange because it is the anthem of Northern Ireland, but in terms of everything that I’ve done in sport, it’s been about including people. It’s not very inclusive.”
While the Irish rugby team do sing the national anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann, before games, they also sing Ireland's Call which is representative of players with a northern unionist background.
Best outlined the environment of inclusivity formed in the Irish rugby squad thanks to the use of Ireland's Call alongside Amhrán na bhFiann.
He continued: “It could be the worst song in the world, but it’s about respect.
“It’s about making sure that no matter where you are from that there is a part of you in that song, there’s an area that you’re from in that song, and all that comes together to form Irish rugby.”
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