Fans express mixed reactions to UEFA Champions League anthem during matches
sportingnews.com — November 6, 2024, 09:00 PM UTC
The UEFA Champions League anthem, composed by Tony Britten in 1992, is a well-known tune played before matches. It features lyrics in English, French, and German, celebrating the tournament's top teams. The song is based on Handel's "Zadok the Priest." While the anthem is popular, some fans, particularly from Manchester City and Barcelona, boo it due to grievances with UEFA. City fans express frustration over financial penalties, while Barcelona supporters protest against political fines related to Catalonia's independence movement. Liverpool fans also booed the anthem during the 2022 final, citing poor organization and safety issues at the Stade de France. An independent review later criticized UEFA for its handling of the situation.