Ahead of Euro 2020 qualifier with Albania, France plays Andorra anthem… & apologizes to Armenia
In a doubly embarrassing gaffe, the organizers at Stade de France played the anthem of Andorra ahead of the European qualifier between Albania and France – and rushed to apologize to Armenia’s fans upon realizing their mistake.
Albanian players and fans looked puzzled when they heard the unfamiliar tune ahead of the Euro 2020 qualifier in Paris on Saturday night. The kickoff was delayed until the correct anthem was played, and the organizers offered their apologies to the visiting team and fans.
The confused faces on the Albania players when they realise it’s the wrong national anthem 🤭pic.twitter.com/RVgRJEtTEU
— Goal (@goal) September 7, 2019
There was just one little problem, the stadium announcer apologized to Armenian fans instead, bringing a fourth party into the conundrum. An easy mistake to make, given that all three start with an ‘A’?
France vs Albania...Instead of playing the Albanian hymn, the hymn from Andorra was played by mistake.Then the stadium speaker apologised to the *Armenian* fans. pic.twitter.com/gvOLAzmMeR
— Pascal Jacquemain 🔶 #FSFA #the5million #fbpe (@jacquep) September 7, 2019
Adding injury to insult, the reigning world champions went on to crush Albania 4-1. Luckily for the organizers, France’s next opponent, also at home, will be Andorra – whose national anthem they now have and know very well.
FT | France 4-1 Albania • Kingsley Coman played 77 minutes and scored 2 goals.• Lucas Hernández played 80 minutes, made one assist and won a penalty.• Corentin Tolisso played the full 90 minutes.• Benjamin Pavard played the full 90 minutes.#FRAALB 🇫🇷🇦🇱 pic.twitter.com/4NvaFWRcWc
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) September 7, 2019
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