Oh, we certainly wouldn’t want to be in the ethical conundrum Emma Hayes will face on Saturday night. Expect awkwardness to fill the air just before kick-off at Wembley Stadium for the much-anticipated friendly between England and the USWNT. Why? Because everyone is wondering which national anthem the English tactician, now the US manager, will sing—only to discover she won’t sing either to avoid creating a ‘talking point.’

Yes, you heard right. The very woman who in her early days used to hum the French and Italian national anthems just because they felt upbeat won’t be signing her home country’s ‘God Save the King’ and her current side’s ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ for obvious reasons.

“I don’t believe it has to be a negative either,” began Hayes with her surprising confession during a chat on The Overlap US: ‘It’s Called Soccer’ segment, adding, “They’re two wonderful national anthems that I love to sing, to be honest with you, just cuz I love singing.”

Interestingly, when co-hosts Rebecca Lowe and Gary Neville asked if she would be singing both, the former Chelsea boss quickly added, “They’ll mull around in my head and then I’ll be standing there thinking, ‘You know some camera is going to be panned in on me,’ and whichever choice I make, it’s going to be one that creates a talking point, so perhaps I’ll just stay in silence for both.”

As they say, silence is the best answer; we feel this is rather a pragmatic step from Hayes. Of course, cameras will be on her the moment both nation’s national anthems, and if she is seen in any one of them or, as a matter of fact, sings both, there may be some scope for scrutiny. Then, we’re also confused about how not singing either one of them will save Emma from any potential backlash. At least it looks to be sorted out for Hayes’ mother, who happens to keep her priorities straight, even for her daughter.

‘Adopted American’ Emma Hayes shares her mother’s hysterical take 

When asked about the potential emotional upheaval she may face when the anthems are played, Emma Hayes shared how cheekily her mom responds to this question. “Someone will say to my mom, ‘Who are you supporting?’ and she’s like, ‘England, of course.’ Then I look at her and she’s like, ‘With USA as well.’ She almost feels like she has this duty to me after her country, which I respect,” admitted the 48-year-old tactician.

So, what if Hayes is coaching one of the Lionesses’ rivals? Truth be told, the former WSL manager would never forget her roots. “I’m really proud to be English, and I’ve loved nothing more than my country,” she admitted things to be a bit weird at Wembley for not representing her nation, continuing, “But then my competitor hat goes on. I’m an adopted American, and while I’m in charge of this country, I know I’ll give everything for the badge because that’s how I work.”

“I can still love my country and love working for the US all at once”—there you go, looks like the London-born manager has solved her ethical dilemma. This truly says: Divided by countries and continents, united by Emma Hayes!