Should Aussie sports stars sing the national anthem? YOUR COMMENTS after four Kangaroos stars remained silent ahead of Samoa victory

Australians believe that athletes who represent their country should sing the national anthem, after footy stars remained silent ahead of their game on Saturday. 

Rugby league legend Max Krilich called for players to be dropped from the Kangaroos if they do not wish to sing Advance Australia Fair before matches, while a number of fans took to Twitter to echo those sentiments.

Australia coach Mal Meninga, however, has defended Payne Haas, Selwyn Cobba, Kotoni Stagg and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, insisting the players should have the freedom to choose whether to sing the anthem. 

‘I don’t say anything (to the players), I think it’s personal preference,’ Meninga told Triple M. 

‘They’ve grown up with certain values, certainly with their families and those values have got to be respected.

Mal Meninga defended four of his players who remained silent during the anthem

‘I think it’s up to the individual. I personally sing the national anthem because I’m a proud Australian.’

In response to Saturday’s incident, some Australians voiced their disappointment in the quartet and agreed with Krilich’s view.

One commenter said: ‘Max is 100% right. If you don’t want to sing the Australian anthem, you don’t play for Australia.’

‘Absolutely one of the most disgraceful acts,’ another person wrote. ‘If you are taking money to play for Australia you must respect that and be a team player. Otherwise get out of the game there is probably better players wanting your spot so leave!’

One fan proposed a radical solution: ‘Get them to sign a document declaring alliance to Australia and their willingness to sing our anthem, otherwise they can’t play.’ 

‘Anybody who does not support Australia and our flag in any sport should not be allowed to play in our Australian team,’ a fourth comment read. ‘They should play in another team.’ 

A large number of readers criticised the Australia players for not singing the anthem

Poll

Should Australian athletes sing the national anthem?

• Yes 1497 votes
• No 195 votes

Another comment simply read: ‘Get rid of them’, while an additional comment said: ‘With the amount they get paid they should damn well sing.’

However, some commenters backed the players. 

‘What rubbish,’ one commenter wrote. ‘For years teams didn’t sing… just stood in silence… this whole USA style patriotism (sing or else!) reeks of the cancel culture that most of these commentators abhor.’

A second comment read: ‘They are standing. They are silent. They are not disrespectful.’ 

‘Freedom of speech includes the right not to speak (or sing),’ a third comment said. ‘They are free to express themselves however they choose.’ 

Meanwhile, over 1,500 people cast their vote in a Daily Mail Australia poll which asked: ‘Should Australian athletes sing the national anthem?’ 

Eighty-eight per cent of readers said ‘Yes’, while 12 per cent said ‘No’. 

However, a handful defended the players and said it was their right to stay silent