Carling Cup Anthems Banned

FOOTBALL bosses have scrapped the national anthems for Sunday's Carling Cup final between Liverpool and Cardiff. The Football League do not want both the English and Welsh anthems played at Wembley as booing is likely from rival fans. Both Portsmouth and Cardiff supporters jeered before the 2008 FA Cup final when the anthems were played. It is the first time the anthems will not be played at a showpiece final at the new Wembley. The Football League has a policy of not playing the anthems if a Welsh team is involved in a major match at Wembley. This included last season's Championship play-off final when Swansea beat Reading 4-2 and also the final 12 months earlier between Cardiff and Blackpool. Cardiff will, however, be given permission by UEFA and the FA to compete in next season's Europa League should they beat Liverpool. If Kenny Dalglish's side win, they will earn the Euro place. But if they finish in the top five as well, the Euro spot will go to the sixth-placed Premier League side.