Saudi Arabia team failed to line up for minute’s silence before World Cup qualifier in Adelaide on grounds it was ‘not in keeping’ with their culture

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese has blasted the “disgraceful” refusal of the Saudi Arabian football team’s to honour a minute of silence for Australians killed in the London terror attack.

“That was a disgraceful lack of respect not just for the two Australians killed, one of whom was a young South Australian, but also all of those victims of that terror attack in London,” he told Nine of the Thursday night controversy.

Tomi Juric brace helps Socceroos past Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifier Read more

“There is no excuse here. This isn’t about culture, this is about a lack of respect. I thought it was disgraceful.”

The independent senator Derryn Hinch also weighed in, telling Channel Seven’s Sunrise the Saudis’ attitude was an insult.

Sunrise (@sunriseon7) “It’s a disgrace, what they did last night should not be forgotten” Senator @HumanHeadline on Saudi Arabian soccer team. #sun7 pic.twitter.com/NwkwEau82L

However, the Saudi Football Federation issued a statement on Friday in which it said it “deeply regrets and unreservedly apologises” for any offence caused by the players’ failure to observe the minute’s silence. It said that the players had not intended any disrespect, although the statement did not say why the players had not joined their Australian counterparts in the gesture.



SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has apologised for failing to observe the minute's silence. pic.twitter.com/NWRv54Eg87

The Australian team lined up in the centre of the pitch before Thursday night’s World Cup qualifier in Adelaide and held the brief silence as a tribute to the two Australians – Sara Zelenak and Kirsty Boden – killed in the terrorist attack in London at the weekend.

As they did so the Saudi Arabia team moved into their positions for the game. Most stood still during the silence, but one or two appeared to continue warming up.

On Friday prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, said he had not seen video footage of the incident but “the whole free world is united in condemnation of that terrorist attack and terrorism generally”.

“Everybody, everyone should be united in condemnation [of] the terrorists and love and sympathy and respect for the victims and their families.”

Football Federation Australia issued a statement after the game saying Saudi officials had agreed to allow Australia to include the tribute, but that it was “not in keeping with Saudi culture”.

“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 in London and in particular the two Australian women,” the statement read.

“Both the [Asian Football Confederation] 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 Fox Sports commentator Adam Peacock said on Twitter the Saudis had resisted holding the silence.

Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) Pre game minute silence:

AFC approved it pre game.

Travelling Saudi officials said no.

FFA tried to reason, no avail and went ahead.

Peacock noted that the Saudi captain, Osama Hawsawi, was one of the players who appeared to disrespect the silence.