Parliament is set to hear calls for England to drop God Save The Queen at sporting events in favour of its own national anthem.
MP Toby Perkins wants legislation to enable England teams to be greeted by their own anthem in the same way as Scotland and Wales, the Press Association reported.
The Labour backbencher will present his case on the floor of the Commons through a procedure known as a Ten Minute Rule motion. One other MP may speak against the motion.
The issues surrounding the national anthem were brought into the limelight in 2015 when Jeremy Corbyn refused to join in while at a service to commemorate the Battle of Britain.
But there have been variety of other controversies surrounding the singing of national anthems - particularly on the sports field.
National Anthem Controversies (LIST)
James McClean(01 of09)
Open Image ModalThe Premier League footballer faced a huge backlash after turning his back on the British national anthem during a pre-season game in the United States.
McClean now remains silent during the anthem.
He explained: "If I were to sing the British national anthem, that would be disrespectful to the place I come from, to Derry, to my family, because the anthem represents something in recent history that caused a lot of conflict and pain there. A lot of people are still hurting there so I can’t pretend that didn’t happen.
"Again, I will stand there in silence while the anthems are played. I will respectfully allow others to sing it. I won’t interfere, but I can’t take part in that.
"The people that love the anthem are British, that’s their culture. I totally respect that, that’s great. I wouldn’t ask them to sing the Irish anthem.
"My attitude is live and let live, and I don’t think we should have ideas forced on us just as I don’t want to force my ideas on anyone else…I have to stand by my principles.”
Kim Little(02 of09)
Open Image ModalThe footballer remained silent during the singing of God Save The Queen at the London 2012 Olympics.
The team was playing New Zealand in their opening match of the Games.
The Scot said that it was a "personal choice" not to sing the anthem because of her nationality. (credit:Andrew Matthews/PA Archive)
Eoin Morgan(03 of09)
Open Image ModalThe Dublin-born one-day England cricket captain never joins in the with singing of the national anthem, no matter who he plays for.
He explained: “It's pretty simple. I've never sung the national anthem whether I've played for Ireland or England.
"It doesn't make me any less proud to be an English cricketer. I'm extremely proud to be in the position I am in and privileged to be captain of a World Cup side." (credit:Will Russell - CA via Getty Images)
Ryan Giggs & Craig Bellamy(04 of09)
Open Image ModalLionel Messi(05 of09)
Open Image ModalThe Argentinian blasted those who suggested that he was unpatriotic because he doesn’t sing the nightfall anthem.
He justified his decision, saying that he didn’t “need to sing it to feel it”.
Messi said: “I won’t sing the national anthem on purpose.
“I don’t need to sing it to feel it. Every person feels it in their own way.” (credit:Hector Vivas/STR via Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney(06 of09)
Open Image ModalMany people noted that the England star was often seen remaining tight-lipped when the anthem was sung.
Many people suggested that, despite earning more than 100 caps for England, his silence was simply because he did not know the words.
According to the Mail, he actually offered to learn the words and can now sometimes be seen singing along. (credit:PAUL ELLIS via Getty Images)
Dennis Aogo(07 of09)
Open Image ModalMahmoud Abdul-Rauf(08 of09)
Open Image ModalThe Denver Nuggets basketball was suspended by the NBA after he refused to stand for the American national anthem, ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’.
Abdul-Raul said that US flag was a symbol of oppression and that the national had a long history of tyranny.
For this reason, he said that standing for the anthem with conflict with his Muslim faith.
A compromise was later reached where he agreed to stand for the anthem, but would close his eyes and look downwards. He often used this moment for prayer. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Daley Thompson(09 of09)
Open Image ModalThe British athlete was criticised for his reaction on the podium after winning the gold medal for decathlon at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Instead of singing along, Thompson was seen whistling to God Save The Queen.
He was slammed by some, who claimed he was being disrespectful, although he did not offer an explanation as to his behaviour. (credit:Bob Thomas via Getty Images)
Perkins said he believed England teams and individuals representing their country should have an anthem which reflected their own specific national identity rather than the whole United Kingdom.
While God Save The Queen was the anthem of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in some sporting events the constituent countries of the UK play as individual nations.
"I was at the England Wales game at the Rugby World Cup and I was struck that the Welsh were singing the Welsh national anthem while the English were singing the British national anthem," he said.
"We will be playing Wales this summer in the (football) European Championship. I think it is time to have a conversation to see what people think."
Perkins said his motion had already generated a "huge level of interest" and that he would now like to see the Government launch a consultation to find out what the public think.
He said that many England fans now took the flag of Saint George to matches where in the past they would have taken the Union Jack.
While his own choice for an English national anthem would be Jerusalem, he said that other options could include Land Of Hope And Glory and There'll Always Be An England.
He acknowledged however that many people would like to retain God Save The Queen.