Watch: Cliftonville players bow their heads in protest during British national anthem at Irish FA Cup final

Cliftonville players bowed their heads during the British national anthem ahead of their 3-1 defeat to Coleraine in Saturday's IFA Cup final.

The Belfast club had requested that God Save the Queen not be played before the game at the National Stadium in Windsor Park out of respect for the traditions of their players.

Their request was turned down by a decision of the majority of the IFA board and the anthem was played in full in advance of the game.

All 11 starting Reds players bowed their heads in apparent protest against the IFA's decision, while there was audible jeering from the crowd.

Players from the nationalist tradition in Northern Ireland have been observed to bow their heads during the playing of the British anthem at international games in recent years.

Ireland's James McClean turned away from the British flaf during West Brom's pre-season friendly with the Charleston Battery in South Carolina.

And Derry City player Sammie Morrow appeared to bow his head during the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann before the Candystripes' 2008 FAI Cup final defeat to Bohemians.