Wales banned from singing Tom Jones' song ‘Delilah’ at Six Nations
Published
| Last updated
One of Tom Jones' most famous songs will no longer be played at the Principality Stadium, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has announced.
Amid claims made in a BBC investigation of alleged toxic, sexist and racist culture at the WRU, the Union have opted to make the change.
The lyrics 'why why why Delilah' from Tom Jones' hit 'Delilah' were regularly sung at Wales games, however, the song won't be played when the Six Nations begins on Saturday.
In the song, Jones describes the murder of a woman by her boyfriend after seeing her with another man.
“Delilah will not feature on the playlist for choirs for rugby internationals at Principality Stadium,” a Principality Stadium statement said.
“The WRU removed the song from its half-time entertainment and music play list during international matches in 2015. Guest choirs have also more recently been requested not to feature the song during their pre-match performances and throughout games.
“The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind. 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.”
This comes as Charlotte Wathan - former head of Wales women's rugby - alleged that a male colleague joked in front of others in an office environment that he wanted to 'rape' her.
Steve Phillips has since resigned as WRU chief executive amid the allegations with Nigel Walker replacing him as acting CEO.
Walker thinks that 'the future of Welsh rugby is in danger'.
“If we are not prepared to change, the future of Welsh rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union is in danger,” he said.
“I can’t put it any more bluntly than that. We’ve accepted we need change and we want to get to that change programme as quickly as possible.”
Walker added: "The tone of the Welsh Rugby Union today is one of contrition, remorse and apology to those employees who went through what they went through and a desire to get things right.
"We recognise we have fallen short of the high standards that are necessary.
"We apologise, we recognise we've made many mistakes. We're now not looking at how we can mitigate the furore that has come our way.
"What we're looking to do now is to improve and get back a semblance of credibility as we realise that it is now at an all-time low."
He believes that the WRU needed to do 'much better'.
LADbible has reached out to WRU for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Matthew Horwood / REUTERS / Alamy
Topics: Sport
