Steward intervenes as Lee Carsley makes unfortunate error moments before Ireland vs England
09/07/2024 12:53 PM
Lee Carsley mistakenly walked to the Republic of Ireland dugout just before his first match in charge of England.
Carsley has been appointed as the Three Lions’ interim boss and a Nations League clash against Ireland, live on talkSPORT, has come as his opening test.
Carsley made 40 appearances for Ireland during his playing career and showed that old habits die hard before kick-off.
Fans were amused by the irony as the England boss accidentally walked right and sat down in the Ireland dugout before a steward and officials quickly intervened.
Carsley swiftly headed to the opposite side of the touchline with a brief smirk before eventually finding his correct seat.
The Ireland and England players then made their way out onto the pitch, with the latter side gatecrashed by a pitch invader.
Carsley’s error was all the more unfortunate as build up to the match was dominated by debate over his decision not to sing the England national anthem.
The former midfielder was born in Birmingham but earned 40 caps with the Ireland national team during his career.
Speaking ahead of the match, he revealed that he didn’t sign the Irish national anthem as a player and did the same with the English national anthem as their U21 boss.
Carsley says it’s due to him focussing on the match ahead but his decision not to sing the English anthem has proven controversial.
talkSPORT’s Jamie O’Hara took to X and said: “What's people take on carsley not wanting to sing the national anthem? that to me is ok cya later then, you've just lost the entire nation before you've even kicked a ball, thanks for coming Lee.”
As expected, Carsley remained mute during both national anthems, with England’s being loudly booed by the host’s fans.
However, Carsley and his Three Lions side took the lead after just 11 minutes through former Ireland international Declan Rice.
The midfielder held his hands up and chose not to celebrate wildly despite netting in front of the England fans.
Ex-Ireland youth player Jack Grealish however did the opposite when he made it 2-0 shortly before the half-hour mark, his first goal for England as a starter.
