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Tom Jones: Delilah banned for choirs at Principality Stadium

Getty Images People singing in Principality StadiumGetty Images
The Tom Jones classic, Delilah, has long be popular with fans but is also controversial due to its lyrics

Choirs performing at international rugby matches at the Principality Stadium have been banned from singing the Tom Jones classic, Delilah.

The stadium said it would no longer be performed by choirs after removing it from half-time playlists in 2015.

The song has caused controversy, with lyrics depicting the murder of a woman by her jealous partner.

A stadium spokesman said it was "respectfully aware that it is problematic".

It has, however, long been popular with supporters of the national team and Jones has previously performed the song ahead of an international match.

The decision follows a week in which the chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union was forced to resign, following allegations of sexism, misogyny and racism within the organisation.

Without referencing the decision, Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit wrote on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon: "All the things they need to do and they do that first..."

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A Principality Stadium spokesman said: "Delilah will not feature on the playlist for choirs for rugby internationals at Principality Stadium.

"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."

But the Welsh Conservative shadow sport minister Tom Giffard called the decision "wrongheaded".

"One that amounts to simple virtue signalling, designed to ease the pressure the WRU are currently under," he said. "Calls to ban the song span at least the last decade, yet the WRU have chosen now to act.

Mr Giffard said people want "institutional change, improved working practices and a better complaints process for the WRU".

"Instead they are choosing to ban a much loved Tom Jones song. This action will solve nothing."

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