Dundee United fans boo minute’s silence for Queen at Rangers and chant ‘Lizzie’s in a box’ | Football | Sport

All matches across the United Kingdom this weekend have included a pre-match tribute to commemorate the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, with teams encouraged to take part in a minute’s silence before playing the national anthem. It was the first time most clubs have had the opportunity to come together and mark her death with all of last weekend’s fixtures cancelled as a mark of respect, though some teams played European matches in midweek. 

The response at Ibrox will be exactly what the football authorities were hoping to avoid, with reports last week suggesting there had been concerns that a minority of supporters would not behave themselves appropriately, something that has now been proven with these issues. 

Dundee United supporters could be heard chanting “Lizzie’s in a box” for the duration of the silence period while others took to booing. Their actions prompted an angry response from the home support with many fans heard shouting and screaming at their rivals the second the silence finished. 

It was not the first time moment of silence that has been disrupted in football matches, with some supporters disrespecting the tributes during European matches last week. The minute had to be cut short at Tynecastle with a minority of Hearts fans booing throughout the stoppage, with some shouts of “f*** the Queen” also heard. Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers supporters also chanted “Lizzie’s in a box” during their Conference League draw with Djurgarden. 

Rangers did have an opportunity to pay tribute to the monarch during their midweek Champions League defeat against Napoli with the club receiving wide praise for the quality of their demonstration. The minute’s silence was impeccably observed while supporters also displayed a huge tifo display for the late Queen. The club also organised a rendition of the national anthem, something that had been explicitly banned by UEFA. 

In contrast, BT Sport were forced to apologise for the behaviour of Rangers’ fierce rivals Celtic, with some travelling supporters holding up a “F*** THE CROWN” banner during their 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk. 

UEFA will investigate the behaviour of the supporters in question, with fines potentially set to be issued. The authority’s statement read: “Please be informed that proceedings have been opened against Celtic regarding a banner displayed during their UEFA Champions League match against FC Shakhtar Donetsk played on 14 September in Warsaw. The UEFA disciplinary bodies will decide on the matter in due course.”

In contrast, no further action will be taken against the Gers. Other periods of silence across the country appear to have largely passed with little incident, with people taking the opportunity to reflect on the life of the Queen.