CNN
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Choirs have been banned from performing Tom Jones’ hit “Delilah” throughout Wales’ worldwide rugby matches on the Principality Stadium in Cardiff due to the song’s “problematic” nature, the UK’s PA Media reported.
The lyrics of the 1960s hit, which was taken off the half-time leisure listing on the Principality Stadium in 2015, allude to a girl being stabbed by her jealous accomplice.
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and Principality Stadium solely introduced this week that the song has been eliminated from the venue’s playlist.
“Delilah will not feature on the playlist for choirs for rugby internationals at Principality Stadium,” a Principality Stadium spokesperson mentioned, in accordance to PA Media.
“Guest choirs have also more recently been requested not to feature the song during their pre-match performances and throughout games,” the spokesperson added.
“The WRU condemns home violence of any type.
“We have previously sought advice from subject matter experts on the issue of censoring the song, and we are respectfully aware that it is problematic and upsetting to some supporters because of its subject matter.”
CNN has contacted the WRU, the Principality Stadium, and a consultant for Jones for remark.
In 2014, Jones, who didn’t write the song however recorded its hottest interpretation, informed The Independent that he “love[s]” to hear “Delilah” sung at rugby video games and that it makes him “very proud to be Welsh.”
Welsh supporters have a protracted historical past of singing at sports activities occasions, together with rugby video games.
“I think if they’re looking into the lyric about a man killing a woman, it’s not a political statement,” Jones said, in accordance to The Independent. “It’s just something that happens in life that it’s [a] woman [who] was unfaithful to him and he just loses it.”
The 82-year-old Jones is one of Wales’ best-loved performing artists and rose to fame within the 60s with hits that embody “It’s Not Unusual” and “Green Green Grass of Home.”
Last month, a BBC investigation made allegations of sexism and discrimination on the WRU, with Charlotte Wathan, the previous basic supervisor of Welsh girls’s rugby, claiming there was a “toxic culture” of sexism on the group.
Following the allegations, Steve Phillips stepped down from his function as WRU chief govt and was changed by Nigel Walker on an performing foundation.
On Friday, WRU chair Ieuan Evans introduced the formation of a brand new exterior taskforce to examine the federation’s tradition and behaviors.
Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit appeared to criticize the choice to ban “Delilah” from the Principality Stadium in mild of the sexism allegations, writing on Twitter on Thursday: “All the things they need to do and they do that first….”
Wales begins its Six Nations marketing campaign, the Northern Hemisphere’s premier worldwide rugby competitors, towards Ireland on Saturday.
