Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf is accused of ‘smirking’ as crowd loudly boo ‘God Save the King’ before England took on the Tartan Army at Hampden Park

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf has been accused of smirking as Scottish soccer followers booed throughout God Save The King.

The SNP chief appeared to have a cheeky grin on his face because the Tartan Military tried to drown out the nationwide anthem when it was performed earlier than the beginning of the match between England and Scotland on Tuesday. 

Video footage exhibits Yousaf standing alongside Scottish FA chief govt Ian Maxwell as a refrain of boos echoes via Hampden Park stadium. 

He initially seems to carry again his enjoyment however seconds later he appears to smirk because the jeering from the Scottish followers intensifies. 

England gained the sport 3-1. The fixture marked the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the match between the previous enemies. However a lot of the discuss after the sport centred on the Scottish followers’ response. 

The onlooker who filmed the video advised the Scottish Solar: ‘Humza Yousaf seemed like he was attempting to cease himself from bursting out laughing and probably not succeeding. 

‘He gave the impression to be smirking all through the whole nationwide anthem.

‘It wasn’t actually how you’ll have anticipated him to react to the booing.

‘The wise factor would have been to take care of a stony-faced manner all through, in a dignified method.’ 

He added that he thought Yousaf got here throughout ‘like a cheeky boy’ and was ‘determined’ to let loose an enormous chortle because the booing continued. 

Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser additionally weighed in on the controversy, saying he failed his ‘responsibility’ to indicate respect to the King. 

He advised the Scottish Solar: ‘Humza Yousaf has made no secret of the truth that he is a Republican however, as First Minister of Scotland, he has an obligation to indicate respect to our Head of State and all nations and anthems.

‘By apparently smirking whereas a bit of supporters booed God Save the King, he fell in need of that.’

Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist yesterday branded followers who booed the anthem as ‘completely out of order’. 

Mr McCoist, who was a commentator on the sport, mentioned he sung alongside to God Save The King on the gantry and steered that SNP followers have been behind the incident.

The 60-year-old, who each performed for and managed Rangers, advised TalkSport: ‘I don’t just like the booing of any nationwide anthem to be sincere with you. I simply suppose it’s a distinct lack of respect. I genuinely dislike it intensely.

‘If you cannot present respect, I’m not speaking about England, I’m speaking about anyone that goes to Hampden, any soccer floor or any sporting occasion. 

‘If you cannot present the opposition respect by respecting their nationwide anthem, I believe it’s a poor present.

‘I get the rivalry with England and Scotland, and I get a number of the Scots, maybe SNP followers, giving it the entire bit, however I’m speaking about on the whole. 

‘There must be respect proven for an opposing nationwide anthem and I believe it’s completely out of order.’

The remarks drew the ire of many Scottish nationalists on X. They levelled abusive phrases together with ‘lickspittle’ and ‘Quisling’ at Mr McCoist, who scored 19 targets for Scotland throughout a global profession spanning 12 years. 

A spokesperson for the First Minister mentioned: ‘It is a large over-interpretation by the Conservatives – they should have extra necessary issues on their thoughts.

‘The First Minister was trying ahead to the match, finish of story.’