The scrapping of the British national anthem at Northern Ireland football matches could mean the game "will be embraced by both communities", a senior SDLP member said last night (Sunday).
John Dallat was responding to newspaper reports that the traditional playing of God Save the Queen would be banned from Windsor Park.
Last night no-one from the Irish Football Association (IFA) could be contacted but it is known the body is anxious to shed the sectarianism which has blighted game in the north.
It has been suggested that the anthem be replaced by Danny Boy to make Windsor Park more welcoming to Catholics.
If the plan is not shown the red card, IFA chiefs will be hoping for similar success to that achieved by the Irish Rugby Football Union which ditched The Soldier's Song in favour of a Phil Coulter penned anthem.
Mr Dallat, assembly member for East Derry, said: "Sport in all its form has an enormous contribution to make.
"Taking the Queen out of soccer means that there is more likelihood the game will be embraced by both communities and that is good news.
"If it is removed, it is positive evidence that the issue is being addressed and I have no doubt Catholics will respond positively to that."
But DUP councillor Nelson McCausland said: "It would be totally inappropriate not to have our national anthem at an international match.
"While the issue of sectarianism in sport needs to be tackled, such a change would have no impact on that at all."
Over the years Windsor Park has become a virtual 'no go' area for the Catholic community with elements of the crowd leading chants and targeting abuse at Catholic players including Neil Lennon.
Events at a game between Ireland's two national teams in 1993 inspired the Marie Jones play One Night in November. Sectarian chants from part of the home crowd referred to the 'Trick or Treat' loyalist killings in Greysteel a few weeks earlier.
