Syrian anthem played for Lebanese

Saudi Arabian football authorities are investigating an error that led to the Syrian national anthem being played for the Lebanese team before a match.

Several Lebanese players were visibly angry when the wrong anthem was played before Saturday's game, reports say.

Officials at the stadium quickly realised their mistake, and eventually played the correct national anthem before the World Cup qualifying clash.

Lebanon went on to lose the match in the Saudi capital Riyadh, 2-1.

ANTHEM GAFFES

• Nov 2007: English singer inadvertently sings about his penis being a mountain during a version of the Croat anthem before a game against England
• Jul 2007: Belgian MP breaks into La Marseillaise instead of his own country's anthem on Belgium's national day
• Feb 2004: Tunisian organisers of the African Cup of Nations play Nigerian anthem at half time after getting the wrong tune before the game

Syrian influence in Lebanon remains one of the most divisive issues there.

Tensions in Lebanon between the opposition movement led by Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran and Syria, and the pro-Western government erupted into violence last month.

More than 65 people were killed as street battles raged in and around the capital Beirut.

But the rival factions later pulled the situation back from the brink to reach a new power-sharing agreement leading to a national unity government after talks in the Qatari capital, Doha.

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