Yesterday Thursday, Saudi Arabia’s football national team declined to observe
minute’s silence in honour of the victims of the London Bridge terror attack.
The shocking incident
occurred ahead of the FIFA World Cup Asian qualifying match between Saudi
Arabia and Australia.
When the stadium
announcer called for a minute's silence, 11 Australian players on the field
lined up at the center circle with their arms on their teammates' shoulders,
but Saudi Arabian footballers ignored the tradition and took their positions on
the pitch.
According to officials,
the minute’s silence was approved by the Asian Football Confederation before
the game and while Saudi Arabia’s national team agreed to the tribute, the
players refused to pay their respects.
Last Saturday’s terror
attack at London Bridge claimed the lives of seven people, including two
Australian citizens.
After the match, a
spokesperson for Football Federation Australia (FFA) also confirmed that they
had an agreement with the Asian Football Confederation to hold minute's silence
for the victims of the London Bridge terror attack.
‘The FFA sought
agreement from the Asian Football Confederation and the Saudi national team to
hold a minute’s silence in memory of those lost in Saturday night’s
terror bombings in London and in particular the two Australian women.
‘Both the AFC and the
Saudi team agreed that the minute of silence could be held.
‘The FFA was further
advised by Saudi team officials that this tradition was not in keeping with
Saudi culture and they would move to their side of the field and respect our
custom whilst taking their own positions on the field
The match ended 3- 2 in
favour of Australia, leaving Saudi Arabia at 16 points in their qualifying
group.
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