FURY AS SAUDI SOCCER TEAM SNUBS VICTIMS
Players and coaches refuse to join minute’s silence as it’s ‘against their culture’
THE Saudi Arabian football team sparked outrage yesterday for refusing to observe a minute’s silence to commemorate the victims of the London Bridge atrocity.
Players representing the Arab nation continued to warm up and pass the ball to each other as most inside the stadium stood still and bowed their heads.
They refused to take part in the tributes for ‘cultural reasons’, just before the start of a World Cup qualifying match against Australia in Adelaide.
The tribute was of particular significance because two Australian women – au pair Sara Zelenak, 21, and nurse Kirsty Boden, 28 – were among the eight who died in the terror attack.
Australian players stood arm in arm on the centre circle of the pitch as the stadium was asked to fall silent in memory of the ‘tragic events that took place in London last Saturday night’.
The stadium announcer said: ‘We stop to remember all the lives lost, all those families and friends affected by this terrible tragedy, and in particular we reflect on the loss of two young Australian women living in London.’
As the stadium fell silent, Saudi players jogged away from their Australian opponents and took their positions on the field.
Even some of the coaching staff and substitutes remained seated as the rest of the stadium stood as a mark of respect.
Pictures from the match showed at least one Saudi player appearing to stand facing the Australia team with his hands behind his back. But none stood on the centre circle line, as is customary during such commemorations.
Some fans shook their heads with disbelief and later booed the Saudis when they realised what was happening.
Others accused the Saudi fans of disrespect, claiming they made a noise throughout the silence.
The Football Federation Australia said it told the Asian Football Confederation and the management of the Saudi national team about its plans for the tribute.
Both organisations initially agreed to the minute’s silence, only for the Saudis to later say that they would not take part for cultural reasons.
A FFA spokesman said: ‘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.’ But this stance is at odds with pictures showing Saudi players standing for a minute’s silence at previous sporting events.
Players from a domestic Saudi team called al-Ahli Saudi FC stood still on the centre circle line for a minute’s silence for the victims of a plane crash before a match against Barcelona in December 2016.
The population of Saudi Arabia is 90 per cent Arab. Sunni Muslims make up 85 per cent to 90 per cent of citizens, the rest being Shia Muslims.
The behaviour of the Saudi team sparked outrage on social media last night.
Mike Emblem wrote on Twitter: ‘Saudi Arabia not obeying [the] silence at football game against Australia – no shock there eh? True colours shown – totally disgusting. Sponsors of terror!’
Another critic added: ‘I hope FIFA call out Saudi Arabia on the clear lack of respect. Not participating in the minute’s silence is disgusting.’
The Saudi football association and FIFA did not respond to requests for comment. The Saudis were defeated 3-2.