Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf accused of ‘smirking’ as Tartan Army fans loudly boo God Save The King
FIRST MINISTER Humza Yousaf has been accused of SMIRKING as the Hampden crowd drowned out the England national anthem with a chorus of boos.
SunSport’s exclusive video footage shows the moment the SNP chief reacted as God Save the King was met with the hostile reaction ahead of the hotly anticipated showdown between Scotland and England.
The match – arranged officially as a ‘friendly’ to commemorate the 150-year anniversary of their first meeting – itself ended with a comfortable 3-1 win for Gareth Southgate’s men.
But much of the discussion in the aftermath has centred around the jeering of England’s anthem by Scotland fans.
The anthem’s music simply could not be heard on TV as the loud jeering from the 50,000-strong capacity Hampden crowd completely drowned it out, moments before the Scottish anthem Flower of Scotland was belted out.
Among those watching on from the main stand at the national stadium was the First Minister.
And exclusive footage obtained by the Scottish Sun shows the moment the SNP leader reacted as the enormous chorus of boos filled Hampden Park.
Standing alongside figures including Fifa President Gianni Infantino and Scottish FA chief Ian Maxwell, Mr Yousaf appears to smile as the jeering drowns the anthem out.
The footage was filmed by an onlooker who was closeby.
And they have told the Scottish Sun they thought Mr Yousaf appeared to smirk – and reckons he was trying his best not to laugh.
The onlooker who filmed the video said: “Humza Yousaf looked like he was trying to stop himself from bursting out laughing and not really succeeding. He appeared to be smirking throughout the entire national anthem.
“It wasn’t really how you would have expected him to react to the booing.
“The sensible thing would have been to maintain a stoney-faced demeanour throughout, in a dignified manner.
“But instead he came across like the cheeky boy at the back of the classroom who had just watched his mate make a face behind the teacher’s back.
“It looked like he was desperate to let out a big guffaw and was trying to conceal it.
“The noise of the booing was deafening and I suppose, in fairness, he found it very awkward.
“He really didn’t know how to respond and it showed.”
Mr Yousaf has also been blasted by an opposition politician, who has hit out at the first minister for failing in his “duty to show respect.”
Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said: “Humza Yousaf has made no secret of the fact that he’s a Republican but, as First Minister of Scotland, he has a duty to show respect to our Head of State and all nations and anthems.
“By apparently smirking while a section of supporters booed God Save the King, he fell short of that.”
A spokesperson for the First Minister said: “This is a massive over-interpretation by the Conservatives – they ought to have more important things on their mind.
“The First Minister was looking forward to the match, end of story.”
The debate surrounding the booing of the anthem has intensified today.
Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist blasted the Tartan Army for drowning it out, saying it was “out of order.”
Ex-international Michael Stewart also got involved in the debate, writing: “Rebellious Scots to crush”
“Know your place and don’t be disrespectful.”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page