Liverpool fans branded 'shameful' for booing national anthem and Duke of Cambridge at FA Cup final

Liverpool fans have been condemned – including by the Speaker of the House of Commons – for their “totally shameful” booing of the Duke of Cambridge and national anthem before their FA Cup win over Chelsea.

Prince William, who is president of the Football Association and presented the cup to winning captain Jordan Henderson, was met by loud jeers upon being introduced to both teams before kick-off.

Reds supporters also drowned out singer-songwriter RAYE’s rendition of ‘God Save The Queen’ and the traditional cup final hymn, ‘Abide With Me’.

Liverpool fans’ booing of the National Anthem when played at their matches is a long-standing tradition in its own right, but Saturday’s jeering – which took place just weeks before the Queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee – drew sharp criticism from across the political divide.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told The Mail on Sunday: “I utterly condemn any fans who booed Prince William at Wembley.

“The FA Cup final should be an occasion when we come together as a country. It should not be ruined by a minority of fans’ totally shameful behaviour. In this year of all years – the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – this is dreadful.”

Conservative MP and former Culture Secretary Karen Bradley added: “It is utterly unacceptable and disgraceful that fans booed Prince William. I would urge the FA to take all necessary action and pursue those responsible.”

Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “We have the most wonderful Monarch and those fans who booed do not represent their clubs or our country.”

There was also criticism from within football, with former England and Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Peter Shilton tweeting:

Neither the FA nor Kensington Palace formally responded to Saturday's incidents, although the Duke did tweet his congratulations to Liverpool in the wake of their victory on penalties:

Winning the FA Cup ensured Liverpool would return to Wembley in August for the Community Shield, before which the national anthem is also traditionally played.

Liverpool fans’ disdain for the anthem can be traced back to the 1980s, when there was widespread resentment within the city at the perceived neglect of Merseyside by Margaret Thatcher’s Tory government.

Anti-establishment feelings then increased in the wake of the Hillsborough Disaster, when 97 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed at an FA Cup semi-final, prompting a police cover-up which falsely blamed supporters for the tragedy.

When asked about fans’ reaction to the national anthem in 2019, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “I don’t think I’m the right person [to ask]. I know a bit about the history but it’s not for me to judge.

“I know the Liverpool supporters are respectful. If they give that sign, the reason might be a bit in the past. But I’ve nothing else to say about that.”