England’s Maro Itoje says he’ll now not sing Swing Low, Sweet Chariot due to its origins in slavery.
The anthem has been sung by followers at England matches since 1987.
The Rugby Football Union reviewed the song’s use in 2020, within the wake of the Black Lives Matter motion, however chose not to ban it.
“I’m not going to inform individuals what they need to or should not do however, personally, I will not sing this song once more,” Saracens lock Itoje, 27, advised L’Equipe.
“I sang it earlier than after I was naive and did not know its origins however, now realizing the context within the creation of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, it is not an anthem that I’m going to repeat any extra.”
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is assumed to have been composed by a slave called Wallace Wallis with his wife Minerva within the mid-1800s.
London-born Itoje, who’s of Nigerian heritage, beforehand mentioned the song made him really feel “uncomfortable”, including its background is “difficult”.
Although the RFU selected to not ban the song, it mentioned it’ll “proactively” educate followers on the “historical past and provenance”.
English rugby’s governing physique produced a video explaining the song’s historic context and withdrew its use from advertising and merchandising.
