Emma Hayes labels national anthem debate 'ridiculous' after USA held to England draw | OneFootball

The former Chelsea boss returned to English football for the first time since her summer departure in record-breaking Wembley friendly

Emma Hayes insisted talk of which national anthem she would sing ahead of the USA’s 0-0 draw with England was “ridiculous” - and insisted the topic should not be used to “fuel a nationalist debate.”

Hayes, who left Chelsea in May after 12 years in charge, usa-lionesses-chelsea-b1196882.html" title="Emma Hayes exclusive: 'National anthems are going to be weird but I’m so proud to lead the US team'">admitted to Standard Sport in an interview this week that it was going to “feel a bit weird” coaching her team against her own nation.

Asked whether she sung the English national anthem as well as the American anthem ahead of kick-off, Hayes replied: “I was definitely mouthing the [English] national anthem. I was struggling with where to be in all of that.

“I got to the end of the anthems, and I thought: it’s so ridiculous. I’m proud to be English, and I’m proud of our national anthems. I’ve sung it since I was a kid.

“And I’m also proud to coach America and I’m proud of that national anthem. Two things are possible at once. I know we want to fuel a nationalist debate around it. The realities are: both countries are very dear to me for different reasons, and I’m proud to represent both of them.”

Hayes said of the match: “It was two top teams. Sarina [Wiegman] is an amazing coach. I thought it was a tactical match-up.

“I felt we should have done more for the volume for entries we had, but I thought we were the better team.”