WASHINGTON: Organisers of a football match in the US capital are apologising to El Salvador for playing the wrong national anthem before an exhibition game against Argentina. The Salvadoran team members looked confused when what was supposed to be their national anthem blared from loudspeakers at FedEx Field on Saturday night. Several slowly dropped their hands from their chests.

Many of the Salvadorans in the crowd whistled in disgust. CMS Sports expressed regret over the “unfortunate incident,” but called it an “honest mistake” without malicious intent. It did not identify what music was played.Salvadoran coach Albert Roca made no reference to the anthem mix-up after the match.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2015

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