U.S. and international soccer officials are puzzled over acting governor Richard J. Codey’s outrage that “The Star-Spangled Banner” was not played before a match between England and Colombia.
Codey attended Tuesday’s match at Giants Stadium and became annoyed when the U.S. national anthem was not played along with the anthems of the countries in the match — even though that is the normal protocol.
He said he immediately asked game organizers why it wasn’t played and was told, “Governor, we’re really very sorry. The British people don’t want to hear it,” The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J., reported in yesterday’s newspapers.
NewMexiKen has never understood why the anthems are made such a part of sports contests to begin with. What’s the connection?