Saudi Arabia football team are being criticized after failing to lineup to maintain a minute’s silence to the victims of London Bridge terror attack.
Australia who were playing hosts to Saudi Arabia, have formed a line at the center of the pitch to pay tribute to the victims which has also seen two Aussie citizens die in the tragic incident.
The act by the Arabian team has drawn in lot of criticism and outrage among the Australian fans as the players jogged and warmed up for the game ahead of kickoff. The staff and coaching staff were also seen standing and paying their respects to the victims who suffered in London.
There are also claims that Saudi supporters shouted throughout the supposed period of silence in Adelaide. However, it is still not clear why the visiting team did not pay their respects.
A Football Federation Australia spokesperson told News Corp that Saudi team has informed them about not following the minute’s silence in the pre-match ahead of kick-off.
“Both the (Asian Football Confederation) and the Saudi team agreed that the minute of silence could be held,” the Australian federation said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“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.”
Here are some of the tweets related to their incident as it soon became viral across all social media platforms.
Australia paying respects to London and Manchester yet Saudi Arabia ????? !? #LondonBridge #Manchester pic.twitter.com/ROsJtBbiGd
— DEEBEE Music (@darrelltester) June 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/SuzySarg/status/872757044486447104
Pre game minute silence:
AFC approved it pre game.
Travelling Saudi officials said no.
FFA tried to reason, no avail and went ahead.— Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) June 8, 2017