THE SILENCING OF RULE BRITANIA; Why Ghana Must Demand FIFA ActBy NATHANIEL NERTEY NETTEY (Nertey-Akoso Nettey)

The recent World Cup clash between Ghana and England at Gillette Stadium ended in a goalless draw, but the scoreline tells only part of the story. For many Ghanaians watching, the sight and sound of England fans belting out “Rule, Britannia!” in the stands was a jarring reminder of a history that cannot be divorced from the anthem’s lyrics. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has shown itself willing to speak out against perceived injustices — most recently raising alarm over England’s so-called “mind games” tactics. Yet on this matter, silence would be complicity. If the GFA does not formally ask FIFA to question why English supporters were allowed to sing “Rule, Britannia!” on an international platform, then the Association cannot claim to be serious about fair play.

The History Cannot Be Ignored:
“Rule, Britannia!” was composed in 1740, based on a poem by James Thomson. Its most famous refrain — “Britons never, never, never will be slaves” — is not a neutral celebration of freedom. The song is deeply intertwined with the British Empire, an era in which Britain grew wealthy through the transatlantic slave trade and the subjugation of peoples across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The BBC has acknowledged that the song is controversial precisely because of its “words and links to the British Empire and the days of colonialism and slavery”. In 2020, the BBC faced intense debate over whether to drop the song from the Last Night of the Proms for these very reasons. Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, a black British musician, has stated that the song “makes people feel uncomfortable” and should not be performed. Even within Britain, the song is recognised as carrying the weight of a brutal colonial history.
English supporters may claim it is merely a patriotic song celebrating naval tradition. But intent does not erase impact. When thousands of England fans chant this anthem at a World Cup match against a Ghanaian team — a nation that was colonised by Britain and whose people were subjected to the very slave trade the anthem evokes — it is not “just a song.” It is a public, unapologetic performance of the very imperial ideology that caused immense suffering to Ghana and countless other nations. The Independent has noted that the song “only took on a more patriotic significance by the late 1800s,” precisely as Britain’s empire reached its zenith. To sing it now, on a global stage, in the presence of players and fans from formerly colonised nations, is to assert a dominance that football — and FIFA — should reject.

FIFA’s Own Rules Demand Action:
FIFA has made clear that it operates a policy of “zero tolerance for racism and discrimination”. The FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) prohibits “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play” (Article 13) and “discrimination and racist abuse” (Article 15). In May 2025, the FIFA Council unanimously approved a revised edition of the Disciplinary Code with “a comprehensive set of proactive regulatory measures aimed at countering discriminatory behaviour both on and off the pitch”. FIFA has sanctioned multiple football associations for discriminatory chanting by fans, and the governing body deploys anti-discrimination observers to matches to report incidents. In 2026 alone, FIFA has imposed sanctions on national associations for breaches of these very articles.
If chants targeting ethnicity or nationality are punishable, then a song whose lyrics celebrate an empire built on slavery and colonialism — sung at a team from a former colony — surely falls within FIFA’s jurisdiction. The argument that “Rule, Britannia!” is merely patriotic collapses under the weight of its own history. This is not about banning patriotism; it is about recognising that some expressions of national pride carry with them the baggage of oppression. As FIFA’s own regulations state, discriminatory behaviour includes conduct that references “ethnic origin” or “any other status”. The colonial relationship between Britain and Ghana is not ancient history — it is living memory.

The Hypocrisy of Selective Outrage:
There is a deeper issue at play here: the selective application of disciplinary standards. The same football authorities that rush to punish players and nations for alleged transgressions — including the recent VAR controversy that saw Ghana denied what many pundits, including former England striker Wayne Rooney, acknowledged was a clear penalty — remain silent when a nation’s supporters engage in behaviour that is, at its core, an act of cultural disrespect. It is hypocritical to demand punishment for an accused player whose case is yet to be proven while excusing or ignoring a mass display of imperial nostalgia directed at an opponent from a former colony.
The GFA has already demonstrated its willingness to challenge England’s conduct. It raised concerns about England’s reported “mind games” tactics. It has dismissed media narratives designed to destabilise the Black Stars. On this matter, however, the GFA must go further. A formal complaint to FIFA is not an act of hostility toward England or its people. One can respect England’s rich history, its traditions, and its genuine patriotism while simultaneously demanding that the governing body of world football live up to its own stated principles.

A Matter of Dignity and Principle:
This is not about rewriting history or erasing British culture. It is about asking whether an international sporting event — a celebration of unity and fair play — is the appropriate venue for a song that, for millions around the world, symbolises subjugation rather than freedom. The GFA has a duty to its players, its fans, and the people of Ghana to ensure that they are not subjected to such displays on the world’s biggest stage. If FIFA is serious about its zero-tolerance policy on discrimination, it must investigate whether the singing of “Rule, Britannia!” at a match involving a former colony constitutes a violation of its disciplinary code.
The GFA must seek redress. Not out of petty grievance, but out of principle. Fair play means nothing if it applies only when it is convenient. The governing body that sanctions associations for discriminatory chants cannot turn a blind eye when the discrimination is dressed in the robes of patriotism. Ghana deserves better. FIFA’s own rules demand better. The GFA must act — and act now.
N.N. Nettey
June 24th, 2026