Lee Carsley reveals FA's stance on national anthem controversy ahead of England and Finland clash
England news: Lee Carsley says he has the backing of the FA ahead of his side's Nations League clash with Finland on Tuesday night
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Lee Carsley has revealed he has the backing of the FA amid the national anthem row rumbling on ahead of England's Nations League clash with Finland on Tuesday night.
The 50-year-old is set to take charge of the team for the second time, having been appointed interim manager earlier this summer following the departure of Gareth Southgate.
Prior to England's win over Ireland on Saturday, Carsley made it clear he wouldn't be belting out God Save the King.
And he then stuck to his word as goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish gave the Three Lions all three points.
England news: Lee Carsley says he has the backing of the FA ahead of his side's Nations League clash with Finland on Tuesday night
PA
Carsley, speaking ahead of England's clash with Finland on Tuesday, has now revealed he's got the support of the FA on the matter.
The former Everton midfielder also admits that talking isn't his biggest strength - and that coaching is instead.
"I am really lucky with the people that are in charge and are my bosses," he said.
"They know what my strengths are and aren’t gonna ask me to be anything I am not.
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"My strength is coaching, being on the pitch. This (talking) isn’t my strength, what I am doing now.
"It’s something that I understand that comes with the job, as I saw yesterday (with the anthem controversy).
"I have my own way of doing it."
England will be going up against Finland for the first time in 23 years when the two teams step out at Wembley.
The Three Lions beat the minnows 2-1 in 2001 courtesy of goals from Michael Owen and David Beckham.
Carsley believes he's in the running to be named Southgate's permanent replacement, regardless of the controversy away from the pitch.
Some, including Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, have backed his stance on the national anthem.
Yet Harry Redknapp, speaking to The Sun, believes Carsley must sing in future.
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England news: Lee Carsley will be hoping to make it two victories from two against Finland on Tuesday night
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“As a proud Englishman and a patriot, I do think singing the national anthem is important," said the 77-year-old.
"I always love to see players and managers belting it out, whatever the sport.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re from, for me if you’re in charge of an English team, you should sing it. In 99 per cent of circumstances, at least.”
He continued: “I accept that on this occasion Lee did have a problem and was maybe stuck in the middle of things.
England news: Lee Carsley is currently preparing his players for Tuesday night's showdown with Finland
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“Not just as a former Republic of Ireland player, but because there was maybe even more emotion than usual on this one after the trouble there’s been in the past.
"But while that made it understandable this time, when it comes to a ‘regular’ game, against, say, Spain, France or whoever, it’s a must.
“As England manager, singing the anthem is a must — whoever you are and wherever you’re from."
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