Hong Kong’s leader has warned of “appropriate actions” against top officials of sports associations over national anthem blunders, while assuring athletes they will not be penalised as long as they abide by the rules.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday stressed that playing a wrong song for the national anthem at sports events featuring Hong Kong teams was “a serious matter”. He urged internet giant Google to be responsible and take steps to ensure accurate search results for the Chinese national anthem.

“The national anthem is a matter of dignity, it is a matter that deals with the emotion of our people. And the people, whose feelings will be hurt, must be taken care of,” Lee said before his weekly Executive Council meeting.