Saudi Arabian Football Federation apologises for not observing the minute’s silence at Adelaide Oval
THE Saudi Arabian Football Federation has apologised for not observing the minute’s silence at the Adelaide Oval insisting players meant no disrespect.
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THE Saudi Arabian Football Federation has apologised for not observing the minute’s silence ahead of their World Cup qualifying match against Australia at Adelaide Oval and says it condemns “all acts of terrorism”.
The Socceroos lined up before kick off to pay their respects to the victims of the recent terror attacks in London, particularly to the two Australian women Sara Zelenak and Kirsty Boden who were tragically killed, with the crowd falling silent.
But the Saudi Arabian team refused to line up opposite their opponents, as is the tradition ahead of football matches when observing a moment’s silence.
Instead, the players took up their positions on the field, with some even appearing to continue with their warm ups.
The apparent snub was roundly condemned on social media, prompted the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to issue an apology.
“The Saudi Arabian Football Federation deeply regrets and unreservedly apologieses for any offence caused by the failure of some members of the representative team of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to formally observe the one minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the London terrorist attack on June 3 2017, prior to the World Cup qualifying match against Australia,” the statement read.
“The players did not intend any disrespect to the memories of the victims or to cause upset to their families, friends or any individual affected by the atrocity.
“The Saudi Arabian Football Federation condemns all acts of terrorism and extremism and extends its sincerest condolences to the families of all the victims and to the Government and people of the United Kingdom.”
The minute’s silence had been approved by the Asian Football Federation before the game and communicated to both teams, but Football Federation Australia were told by Saudi Arabia that it was not in keeping with their traditions.
“Both the AFC and the Saudi team agreed that the minute of silence could be held,” a statement from FFA read.
“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 while taking their own positions on the field.”
But there have been other occasions where Saudi teams have observed a minute’s silence.
Last year in Doha, Qatar, players from a Saudi club observed a minute’s silence.
The game, between FC Barcelona and al-Ahli FC on December 13 shows all the players, including the Saudis, marking silence to honour the memory of members of the Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense who were killed in a plane crash.
The Socceroos went on to win the crucial qualifier 3-2 to join Japan and Saudi Arabia at the top of the group.
Originally published as Saudi Arabian Football Federation apologises for not observing the minute’s silence at Adelaide Oval