The IIHF has apologised for the incident, which had similarly occurred at the Asian Classic Powerlifting Championships in Dubai in December and several rugby matches last year.

Glory to Hong Kong was banned in 2020 after China imposed national security laws that punished what the country's Government defined as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.

It had been closely associated with the 2019 Hong Kong protests, sparked by a proposed and later withdrawn controversial Bill that would have allowed extradition to mainland China.

Organisers played the song at the IIHF World Championship Division III in Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital prior to Hong Kong's victory against Iran, instead of March of the Volunteers.

Hong Kong's players made time-out gestures as the protest song was being played at the Skenderija venue, before an announcement was made that the anthem would be "corrected".

The "T" gesture made by the players is in line with guidelines issued by the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) after the controversy at rugby matches.

Hong Kong's Government has criticised the incident.

"The Government strongly deplores the mistake made when incorrect music was played as the national anthem after the Hong Kong versus Iran match in the Ice Hockey World Championship held in Bosnia," a spokesman said, as reported by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.

"The Government attaches great importance to the incident and has requested the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China to conduct an in-depth investigation."

The SF&OC praised the the Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association (HKIHA).

It said they had "acted according to the relevant guidelines", and the athletes and the team manager "responded immediately in an appropriate manner".

It has requested the HKIHA to investigate the incident.

According to Dimsum Daily, SF&OC vice-president Pui Kwan-kay said on radio that many of the anthem-related incidents at international competitions were explained by organisers relying on internet search engines.

The IIHF revealed that it had interviewed officials from the Organising Committee and deemed "the incident was not intentional, but rather an inadvertent error" that was "interrupted within seconds, with the correct anthem being played shortly thereafter".

It apologised, and claimed that had been accepted by Hong Kong team officials.

"On behalf of the IIHF, we would like to apologize that this incident occurred," it said.

"While the IIHF - along with the IOC [International Olympic Committee] - put safeguards in place to prevent such situations, sometimes the best safeguards still result in accidental errors.

"Together with all the above mentioned, the incident was acknowledged at the post game tournament directorate meeting by the President and General Secretary of the Organizing (sic) Committee, as well as the IIHF tournament chairperson.

"An apology was made to Team Hong Kong, China representative at the directorate meeting, and it was immediately accepted."

Hong Kong has been recognised by the International Olympic Committee since 1951.

It was previously a British Overseas Territory, and was handed over to China in 1997, with March of the Volunteers used as the national anthem at sports events since then.

The city is deemed a "special administrative region" of China under the principle of "one country, two systems".

The IIHF World Championship Division III has two groups, with the Sarajevo tournament taking place until Sunday (March 5) and Cape Town in South Africa due to host a five-team round robin from April 17 to 23.

Hong Kong are second in Group B after three matches, three points behind Kyrgyzstan.