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 as a result of music’s “problematic” nature, the UK’s PA Media reported.
The lyrics of the Nineteen Sixties hit, which was taken off the half-time leisure listing on the Principality Stadium in 2015, allude to a lady being stabbed by her jealous companion.
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and Principality Stadium solely introduced this week that the music has been faraway from the venue’s playlist.
“Delilah is not going to function on the playlist for choirs for rugby internationals at Principality Stadium,” a Principality Stadium spokesperson mentioned, in accordance with PA Media.
“Visitor choirs have additionally extra lately been requested to not function the music throughout their pre-match performances and all through video games,” the spokesperson added.
“The WRU condemns home violence of any type.
“We’ve beforehand sought recommendation from material specialists on the problem of censoring the music, and we’re respectfully conscious that it’s problematic and upsetting to some supporters due to its material.”
CNN has contacted the WRU, the Principality Stadium, and a consultant for Jones for remark.
In 2014, Jones, who didn’t write the music however recorded its hottest interpretation, instructed The Unbiased that he “love[s]” to listen to “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 believe in the event that they’re wanting into the lyric a couple of man killing a lady, it’s not a political assertion,” Jones mentioned, in accordance with The Unbiased. “It’s simply one thing that occurs in life that it’s [a] girl [who] was untrue to him and he simply loses it.”
The 82-year-old Jones is considered one of Wales’ best-loved performing artists and rose to fame within the 60s with hits that embrace “It’s Not Uncommon” and “Inexperienced Inexperienced Grass of Dwelling.”
Final month, a BBC investigation made allegations of sexism and discrimination on the WRU, with Charlotte Wathan, the previous normal supervisor of Welsh girls’s rugby, claiming there was a “poisonous tradition” of sexism on the group.
Following the allegations, Steve Phillips stepped down from his position as WRU chief government 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 analyze 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 of the issues they should do and so they try this first….”
Wales begins its Six Nations marketing campaign, the Northern Hemisphere’s premier worldwide rugby competitors, towards Eire on Saturday.