Rangers defy UEFA to honor queen, play Britain's national anthem

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) - Scottish football club Rangers defied the UEFA by playing Britain's national anthem before Wednesday's Champions League match against Napoli.

The European football governing body had denied the requests from Manchester City, Chelsea and Rangers to play the anthem to honor the queen, who died last week at the age of 96.

Before the start of the match at the Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, which Rangers lost 0-3, however, a minute’s silence was observed followed by a rendition of ‘God Save the King’ by the fans.

"Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was honoured at Ibrox this evening with a minute’s silence, a display created by the Union Bears, and a rendition of the National Anthem," the club said on Twitter.

Britain is mourning for the queen, who reigned for seven decades until her death last Thursday and will be buried on Monday.