George Michael in the video for 'Last Christmas'. Photo: YouTube/Wham
A football stadium DJ has apologised for playing 'Last Christmas' by Wham!, potentially knocking more than 7000 people out of cult game Whamageddon.
Players try to avoid George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley's 1984 hit for as long as possible before Christmas Eve and are eliminated once they hear it.
Matt Facer, DJ at Northampton Town, was criticised for playing it at the home game against Portsmouth on 2 December.
"I never knew people took it so seriously," he said.
Whamageddon started about 10 years ago, and has grown in a popularity through social media.
It now has set rules, a dedicated website and merchandise.
The game's rules state: "While we can't stop you from deliberately sending your friends to Whamhalla, the intention is that this is a survival game. Not a Battle Royale."
Facer, known as DJ Matty, played the song during half-time in the League One clash at Sixfields, attended by 7215 people.
"I gave it a spin, thinking it would be quite funny to wipe out 7000 people who couldn't avoid it, but clearly it isn't funny," he said.
"I had a bit of an insult on Twitter, light-hearted, [saying] it was not a nice thing to do, and apparently that was quite tame to what was being said in the stadium.
"So I officially apologise to everybody whose Christmas I've ruined."
He has promised not to play the song during the home game against Fleetwood Town, to avoid upsetting fans of the Lancashire side.
He told BBC Radio Northampton: "I can take on the chin with my home fans and Portsmouth, but I don't think I'll be playing it again.
"I think it's a shame people in professions like mine can't play Wham! until [late] December, but it's a game and we all have to jump on board."
'Last Christmas' reached number two on its release, finally reaching the top spot on 1 January 2021.
- This story was first published by BBC