ITV apologise after Saudi national anthem interrupted before Argentina World Cup match

Pictures briefly cut out as Herve Renard’s side sang their national anthem before the match at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar

ITV has apologised after Saudi Arabia’s national anthem was interrupted before their Group C World Cup match against Argentina.

After Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste’s anthem, it was the turn of Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

But pictures soon cut away, with several interruptions as Herve Renard’s players sang the anthem.

ITV’s commentator Sam Matterface then made a swift apology.

“Welcome back here to the Lusail Stadium, north of Doha. We want to apologise for the brief loss of pictures during the Saudi national anthem,” said the lead commentator.

Presenter Laura Woods provided an update at half-time: “It was a world feed issue, experienced by all broadcasters around the world.”

After the broadcast cut out, fans quickly took to Twitter to complain, with others experiencing issues with ITV Hub on their streaming devices.

Graeme Souness took time in the pre-match discussion to criticise Newcastle United's Saudi Arabian owners, insisting the Gulf state should be “nowhere near” the Premier League club.

"Football is such a vehicle for good and bad,” he said. “You know, the sportswashing that's going on in our own country. Newcastle... there's no way the Saudis should have Newcastle United. They shouldn't be anywhere near it.

“But it's not an ideal world that we're operating in. The Saudis have invested in our country for decades. Football now has such a profile that the Saudis see, the people of Abu Dhabi see it, and the Americans see it. It's a chance to improve whatever brand they're involved in."