Unionists defend British anthem at NI games

The Ulster Unionist Party has hit back at suggestions the British national anthem should not be played at Northern Ireland soccer matches.

Few Catholics attend the matches and SDLP assemblymen John Dallat had suggested a new anthem acceptable to both communities should be found.

But Ulster Unionist assemblyman and football supporter Ken Robinson says this is nonsense.

"Mr Dallat's party signed up to the Belfast agreement which has at its centre the principle that Northern Ireland is and will remain an integral part of the United Kingdom as long as the majority want," he said.

"So, Mr Dallat will just have to accept that it is the will of the people and it cannot be redefined to suit his particular, narrow, nationalist perspective when it comes to football."