Saudi Arabia football team fail to join Australia in minute's silence for London terror victims

[MenInG]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-team-criticism-minutes-silence-a7778976.html

Saudi Arabia's national football team has been criticised for failing to observe a minute’s silence for the victims of the London Bridge terror attack.

Australian supporters were left outraged ahead of the Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifying match between the two countries, when the Saudi Arabian players appeared to ignore the silence.

Images from the match show the Australian team lined up in the middle of the pitch, with the Saudi players choosing to finish their pre-match warm-up instead.

The Saudi substitutes did not stand for the silence.

The Australian soccer federation, known as FFA, said after the match that the Saudis knew about the plan to hold a minute's silence before Thursday's World Cup qualifying match but declined to participate.

"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."

The Saudi team was immediately criticised on social media, with bewildered supporters calling on Fifa to take action on the national team.

"I hope Fifa call out Saudi Arabia on the clear lack of respect shown prior to kick-off," wrote one user. "Not participating in the minute's silence is disgusting."


Another fan wrote: "Minute's silence for London terror [victims], Saudi players wandering around like they don't give a f***. Saudi fans shouting the whole time."

Some users claimed that observing silences ahead of football matches was not a part of Saudi culture. But Saudi players and teams have previously observed such tributes, and Saudi side Al-Ahli Saudi FC paused for a minute of silence ahead of their Qatar Airways Cup match against Barcelona in

The match was held at the Adelaide Oval with a minute of silence to commemorate the eight victims of the London Bridge terror attack. Two Australian citizens were killed in the attack.

Nanny Sara Zelenak, 21, was confirmed dead on Wednesday while nurse Kristy Boden was also killed in the attack, after running to help other victims.

Australia went on to win the Group B qualification match 3-2.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Why are Australia having a minute silence for London?

If it was organised and the Saudi team agreed before hand then it's obviously wrong. There is just really no need, we could then see a minute silence ahead of a lot of matches, if other countries decide to hold a silence for an attack elsewhere.

 

[LongHorn]

Because 2 Australian citizens died....

 

[KingKhanWC]

Because 2 Australian citizens died....

Terrible but having a minute silence for two people?

Imagine if a country was to have a min silence when civilians have been killed by a British bomb? Would England observe the silence?

I'm not disrespecting any loss of life but trying to understand if this is political.

 

[Saeed]

Australian fans are right. Saudis need to respect local customs, its not a big deal to stand silent for a minute or respect the anthem of other countries. And they didn't even win match. Gosh these guys have egos bigger than Himalayas but they are good for nothing.

 

[Heisenberg]

Terrible but having a minute silence for two people?

Imagine if a country was to have a min silence when civilians have been killed by a British bomb? Would England observe the silence?

I'm not disrespecting any loss of life but trying to understand if this is political.

Not sure if serious.

 

[Black Zero]

Sports and politics should not be mixed.

How many times Australia observed silence on killing in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.?

Plus, silence for a minute means nothing. A pretty useless modern ritual.

I hope saudi won the match.

 

[Romali_rotti]

I hope saudi won the match.

They lost

 

[Black Zero]

They lost

3-2
Apparently it was a good match.

 

[PakLFC]

Does any western country have a minute's silence when people in Muslim countries are killed often by the USA and NATO? No they don't. I see no problem here at all. No reason why any Saudi should cry for the English.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

Does any western country have a minute's silence when people in Muslim countries are killed often by the USA and NATO? No they don't. I see no problem here at all. No reason why any Saudi should cry for the English.

Moronic comment.

1. Australia has a hell of a lot more in common with the west than the west does with the east, hence they share a closer bond and thus closer allegiances and ties. Also, two australians died apparently, so naturally they want to pay their respects.

2. If a western country were playing in the east in Iraq or wherever and were asked you can be damn sure they'd observe a minutes silence.

Absolutely pathetic attitude by the Saudis this. Despicable stuff. Only thing worse is the people defending it.

 

[Black Zero]

Moronic comment.

1. Australia has a hell of a lot more in common with the west than the west does with the east, hence they share a closer bond and thus closer allegiances and ties. Also, two australians died apparently, so naturally they want to pay their respects.

2. If a western country were playing in the east in Iraq or wherever and were asked you can be damn sure they'd observe a minutes silence.

Absolutely pathetic attitude by the Saudis this. Despicable stuff. Only thing worse is the people defending it.

Then should not expect east to respect their so called closer bond.
Saudi official apologized however they told in advance.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

I wonder if the people defending this would have been alright with NZ ignoring the minutes silence and black armbands etc done in the Pak NZ series when the Taliban school attack occurred.

Instead NZ players donated money, match memorabilia etc.

There lies the difference in class.

1 minute silence too much to ask off some it seems

 

[Black Zero]

I wonder if the people defending this would have been alright with NZ ignoring the minutes silence and black armbands etc done in the Pak NZ series when the Taliban school attack occurred.

Instead NZ players donated money, match memorabilia etc.

There lies the difference in class.

1 minute silence too much to ask off some it seems

It's not in their culture. Period.
Nothing to do with ethics or class.

 

[Gilly]

It's not in their culture. Period.
Nothing to do with ethics or class.

Saudi observed a minutes silence before a match in South America last year.

 

[Adil_94]

poor stuff from the Saudi team. Its not much to ask for a mins silence esp when u are playing in Australia. Yes we know loads of civilians have died in the Middle East but that doesnt excuse this act of just rudeness. A one min silence doesnt hurt or offend anyone.

if Pakistanis died in a terror attack and Pakistan wanted to observe a minutes silence and wear black armbands and the other team refused. People would be outraged and rightly so.

 

[Black Zero]

Saudi observed a minutes silence before a match in South America last year.

National team or club match?

Anyway, their religious ministry must have learnt from it.
This is a national team, too much scrutiny.

I am not sure, if they are even allowed to say prayers for dead.

But I am certain, that they did not mean any disrespect.

 

[Gilly]

National team or club match?

Anyway, their religious ministry must have learnt from it.
This is a national team, too much scrutiny.

I am not sure, if they are even allowed to say prayers for dead.

But I am certain, that they did not mean any disrespect.

I don't know the reason but there is a lot of double talk on the issue, everyone would have been better off not saying anything.

Shia imam Sheikh Mohammad Tawhidi told Daily Mail Australia the Saudi Arabian team's decision not to participate in the minute of silence was not about the minute itself, but about the people who were being mourned.

'[Muslims] regularly mourn over a person if a leader dies or if there is an attack of some kind,' he said.

'They did not stop for a moment of silence because according to Wahhabi Islam - which governs Saudi Arabia - it is not wrong or a sin for a Muslim to kill a non-Muslim. In their eyes the attackers are martyrs who are going to paradise.

'If they stand for a minute of silence, they are against their Muslim brothers who fought for jihad and fought the 'infidels'.

He noted this may not be the personal view of every player within the team, but they would have been 'ridiculed' in Saudi Arabia had they commemorated the victims of the London terrorist attack.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4585228/Photos-Saudi-players-observed-minute-silence.html

 

[QazzarFan]

Does any western country have a minute's silence when people in Muslim countries are killed often by the USA and NATO? No they don't. I see no problem here at all. No reason why any Saudi should cry for the English.

What a terrible statement but not unexpected.

 

[Black Zero]

What a terrible statement but not unexpected.

What a terrible response to a valid query.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Appreciate people who mourn for those they don't identify with.

 

[Red Devil]

Poor stuff, extremely disrespectful. Don't even know why people are bringing up politics and cultures etc. Innocent people died, why anyone would refuse to pay their respects is beyond me.

 

[JaDed]

And posters are justifying this, didn't India and Pakistan have minute of silence as well?

 

[Slog]

I wonder if the people defending this would have been alright with NZ ignoring the minutes silence and black armbands etc done in the Pak NZ series when the Taliban school attack occurred.

Instead NZ players donated money, match memorabilia etc.

There lies the difference in class.

1 minute silence too much to ask off some it seems

good point

 

[CricketCartoons]

What is with shaming those who don't join in your mourning? As long as no one is mocking the dead, don't see what the issue is.

 

[JaDed]

What is with shaming those who don't join in your mourning? As long as no one is mocking the dead, don't see what the issue is.

What's the logic here?Don't mourn but when you are part of an INTL match and the opposition country's players have died nothing wrong in respecting it.

 

[CricketCartoons]

What's the logic here?Don't mourn but when you are part of an INTL match and the opposition country's players have died nothing wrong in respecting it.

Nothing wrong in not joining them either. It sounds like either you are with us or against us.

 

[JaDed]

Nothing wrong in not joining them either. It sounds like either you are with us or against us.

Its not about being with us,but when a deliberate attempt is made to not participate for 1 min,so obviously that only means on thing.

 

[LastManstanding]

What is with shaming those who don't join in your mourning? As long as no one is mocking the dead, don't see what the issue is.

It would have been a humane thing to do. But guess the word doesnt apply to Saudis.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Its not about being with us,but when a deliberate attempt is made to not participate for 1 min,so obviously that only means on thing.

Sounds similar to the diktat that indians must stand for the anthem in cinema halls, otherwise they are branded as traitors.

 

[CricketCartoons]

It would have been a humane thing to do. But guess the word doesnt apply to Saudis.

Never understood why Indians are often the first to show solidarity to the west in its tragedies and perform profile pic activism, but rarely make a hue or cry about their fellow indians being killed by the state.

 

[JaDed]

Sounds similar to the diktat that indians must stand for the anthem in cinema halls, otherwise they are branded as traitors.

That's a place of entertainment,no one is specifically representing the country there and it was never a patriotic duty as such.

The players here are specifically playing for the country,representing them,any univocal decision they take here represents them.

When any country wins the football worldcup its called "xyz" country won the cup,by name.

 

[CricketCartoons]

That's a place of entertainment,no one is specifically representing the country there and it was never a patriotic duty as such.

The players here are specifically playing for the country,representing them,any univocal decision they take here represents them.

When any country wins the football worldcup its called "xyz" country won the cup,by name.

You should not mix politics with sports. They are sportsmen, not diplomats who have to make a statement on behalf of their nation. I don't understand this sense of entitlement that everyone must join me in mourning.

 

[JaDed]

You should not mix politics with sports. They are sportsmen, not diplomats who have to make a statement on behalf of their nation. I don't understand this sense of entitlement that everyone must join me in mourning.

Then let sports be similar to Tennis,formula 1,Chess where they represent themselves and not the country.And its not mourning,just respect.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Then let sports be similar to Tennis,formula 1,Chess where they represent themselves and not the country.And its not mourning,just respect.

They represent their country as sportsmen, not as diplomats, so it is not their domain to make political statements.

Not joining in one minute silence is not disrespect, something you are struggling to understand.

 

[JaDed]

They represent their country as sportsmen, not as diplomats, so it is not their domain to make political statements.

Not joining in one minute silence is not disrespect, something you are struggling to understand.

Not joining when informed a day in advance for 1 min of silence is almost equivalent to disrespecting,atleast see the video before commenting.It was deliberate attempt at what they did.

 

[LongHorn]

poor stuff from the Saudi team. Its not much to ask for a mins silence esp when u are playing in Australia. Yes we know loads of civilians have died in the Middle East but that doesnt excuse this act of just rudeness. A one min silence doesnt hurt or offend anyone.

if Pakistanis died in a terror attack and Pakistan wanted to observe a minutes silence and wear black armbands and the other team refused. People would be outraged and rightly so.

What is far poorer than what the Saudis did is the reaction of their worshippers...

A lot of their supporters think it is a religious duty to defend whatever they do, right or wrong.....

Now, any country can hold a minute silence if they are the hosts. Saudis can do when they are the hosts and any visiting team not honoring it will be criticized and rightly so

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

What a terrible statement but not unexpected.

It's not that terrible. A minute's silence shouldn't be politically or ideologically motivated. It was crass of the Saudis not to respect the silence, but it does raise a good point that some lives seem to be more important than others.

 

[LongHorn]

It's not that terrible. A minute's silence shouldn't be politically or ideologically motivated. It was crass of the Saudis not to respect the silence, but it does raise a good point that some lives seem to be more important than others.

Australia valued Aussie lives lost in London

What stopped Saudi Arabia from holding minute silence when they host matches in respect of any attack on Muslims?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Australia valued Aussie lives lost in London

What stopped Saudi Arabia from holding minute silence when they host matches in respect of any attack on Muslims?

Politics and self interest. It's not that different.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Australia valued Aussie lives lost in London

What stopped Saudi Arabia from holding minute silence when they host matches in respect of any attack on Muslims?

If Saudia footballers dont hold a minute silence for muslim victims, then why are you crying about them not doing the same for some first world casualties? I don't like Saudi arabia for many things, but they are within their legitimate and moral rights not to join in the showmanship of mourning for special nations.

 

[Ellipsism]

The least they could do was stand still but these fools continued to kick a soccer ball around.

 

[Yossarian]

Two genuine questions.

1. When did this concept of sportsmen wearing black armbands and a minutes silence before the match first started?

2. At what point does gestures such as this become being seen as political? eg One sides 'victims' are seen as another sides legitimate targets, or 'collateral damage' at most. Because if political, then sportsmen have been banned in the past for being political during an event (eg Black Power salute during 1968 Olympics).

 

[Junaids]

Why are Australia having a minute silence for London?

If it was organised and the Saudi team agreed before hand then it's obviously wrong. There is just really no need, we could then see a minute silence ahead of a lot of matches, if other countries decide to hold a silence for an attack elsewhere.

The same reason I live in Australia but am British, and that Sky News Australia has continuous coverage of the UK election.

Australia has never declared independence. The Queen is our head of state, represented by a Governor General. Her head is on Aussie coins. Aussie passports are the dark blue ones that the UK will return to.

Australia is arguably more British than the modern U.K.

Except perhaps for Melbourne and North Sydney!

 

[ToeCrusher2]

Sports and politics should not be mixed.

How many times Australia observed silence on killing in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.?

Plus, silence for a minute means nothing. A pretty useless modern ritual.


I hope saudi won the match.

Why should the sports and politcs not be mixed? Sports is an extension of country's soft power, there is no reason to not use sports as a diplomacy tool. Sportsmen are out there representing their country, thus they are not separate from the country's political position

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Australia is arguably more British than the modern U.K.

What's not British about the modern UK? [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION]

 

[Heisenberg]

I think a lot of people are missing the point. You go to someone's house and they are paying their respects to their dead family members. You respect that. End

 

[James]

Does any western country have a minute's silence when people in Muslim countries are killed often by the USA and NATO? No they don't. I see no problem here at all. No reason why any Saudi should cry for the English.

LOL there's always one.

 

[MenInG]

Two genuine questions.

1. When did this concept of sportsmen wearing black armbands and a minutes silence before the match first started?

2. At what point does gestures such as this become being seen as political? eg One sides 'victims' are seen as another sides legitimate targets, or 'collateral damage' at most. Because if political, then sportsmen have been banned in the past for being political during an event (eg Black Power salute during 1968 Olympics).

Oh please! Ask sensible questions.

 

[Bewal Express]

It's not in their culture. Period.
Nothing to do with ethics or class.

Except that they have shown that they have done it before!

 

[Bewal Express]

Australia valued Aussie lives lost in London

What stopped Saudi Arabia from holding minute silence when they host matches in respect of any attack on Muslims?

It would be hypocritical as many times they funded the groups that have killed muslims.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I think a lot of people are missing the point. You go to someone's house and they are paying their respects to their dead family members. You respect that. End

You are definitely right about going to someone's house and paying respect, whether it's for their dead, their home or their beliefs and culture. It's definitely something that should be considered carefully.

 

[MenInG]

You are definitely right about going to someone's house and paying respect, whether it's for their dead, their home or their beliefs and culture. It's definitely something that should be considered carefully.

When foreigners come to Saudi, they respect the Saudi culture etc so Saudis should have done the same. The rights and wrongs of that could have been argued separately.

This selective application of religious and cultural values is one that is common among many Muslim countries.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

When foreigners come to Saudi, they respect the Saudi culture etc so Saudis should have done the same. The rights and wrongs of that could have been argued separately.

This selective application of religious and cultural values is one that is common among many Muslim countries.

100% agree with you there, I was just thinking the same could probably be applied to anyone's home, whether it be a country, a residence, football ground or a particular country's sporting website.

 

[MenInG]

100% agree with you there, I was just thinking the same could probably be applied to anyone's home, whether it be a country, a residence, football ground or a particular country's sporting website.

I would say that its not a crime to have done that but is bad form

 

[Yossarian]

Oh please! Ask sensible questions.

???

What makes you think they're not genuine or sensible?

The minutes silence at sporting events, if I remember correctly, is only a fairly recent trend. But when, and who started it, is what I'm asking.

As for the other question, it's simple. At what point does it cross the line from being respectful to becoming political? If you don't like the example given in the first post, here's a different one. You must know about the various arguments re. Remembrance of Holocaust Day and the minutes silence?

If you don't like the question, and don't wish to express an opinion on the topic in question, then fine. but don't criticise the fact that it's being asked. (They are genuine questions, and not trolling, I assure you!)

 

[MenInG]

???

What makes you think they're not genuine or sensible?

The minutes silence at sporting events, if I remember correctly, is only a fairly recent trend. But when, and who started it, is what I'm asking.

As for the other question, it's simple. At what point does it cross the line from being respectful to becoming political? If you don't like the example given in the first post, here's a different one. You must know about the various arguments re. Remembrance of Holocaust Day and the minutes silence?

If you don't like the question, and don't wish to express an opinion on the topic in question, then fine. but don't criticise the fact that it's being asked. (They are genuine questions, and not trolling, I assure you!)

Apologies - I forgot to add a smiley at the end of my original post.

My true intention was to agree with what you said but felt it was far too sensible for this debate.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I would say that its not a crime to have done that but is bad form

It was disrespectful and definitely didn't reflect well on Saudi Arabia.

 

[Yossarian]

Apologies - I forgot to add a smiley at the end of my original post.

My true intention was to agree with what you said but felt it was far too sensible for this debate.

Oh sorry! Misunderstood.

 

[Gilly]

???

What makes you think they're not genuine or sensible?

The minutes silence at sporting events, if I remember correctly, is only a fairly recent trend. But when, and who started it, is what I'm asking.

As for the other question, it's simple. At what point does it cross the line from being respectful to becoming political? If you don't like the example given in the first post, here's a different one. You must know about the various arguments re. Remembrance of Holocaust Day and the minutes silence?

If you don't like the question, and don't wish to express an opinion on the topic in question, then fine. but don't criticise the fact that it's being asked. (They are genuine questions, and not trolling, I assure you!)

I dont know who or when Australian teams started the tradition of one minutes silence but it goes back at least 60 years. All sports across all formats.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The one minute's silence is pretty standard in England, it's usually a nice gesture to pay respect to the dead, although mostly for sporting figures from memory. So if a famous football personality died from Leeds, you would most likely get a minutes silence around most grounds in the country to mark the passing of one of their community.

 

[TAK]

The one minute's silence is pretty standard in England, it's usually a nice gesture to pay respect to the dead, although mostly for sporting figures from memory. So if a famous football personality died from Leeds, you would most likely get a minutes silence around most grounds in the country to mark the passing of one of their community.

When you mention Leeds, the traditional way to do it is Leeds Leeds Leeds...

 

[Convict]

???

What makes you think they're not genuine or sensible?

The minutes silence at sporting events, if I remember correctly, is only a fairly recent trend. But when, and who started it, is what I'm asking.

As for the other question, it's simple. At what point does it cross the line from being respectful to becoming political? If you don't like the example given in the first post, here's a different one. You must know about the various arguments re. Remembrance of Holocaust Day and the minutes silence?

If you don't like the question, and don't wish to express an opinion on the topic in question, then fine. but don't criticise the fact that it's being asked. (They are genuine questions, and not trolling, I assure you!)

One minute silence in football events has been around for my entire lifetime and I believe decades before that.

I honestly do feel that bringing all this stuff into sport is going too far sometimes (the ANZAC day round of football the biggest offender) but this isn't new.

 

[Yossarian]

The one minute's silence is pretty standard in England, it's usually a nice gesture to pay respect to the dead, although mostly for sporting figures from memory. So if a famous football personality died from Leeds, you would most likely get a minutes silence around most grounds in the country to mark the passing of one of their community.

Man Utd usually have a minutes silence before the (closest to the anniversary date) Old Trafford match in remembrance of the Munich air crash when most of the Busby Babes were killed (Bobby Charlton was one of the survivors). The rest of the Premiership clubs don't do it (unless their match happened to be against Man Utd). But it's not been unknown for fans of 'certain clubs' to not observe the one minute silence and make noises and whistles during the one minute silence.

If everyone started doing the one minutes silence for every sportsman who died and/or for every tragic incident that took place, even if it's in other countries with historical links (such as in this case), you will then have a minutes silence at every sporting event that takes place throughout the year, and then at what point do you draw the line? Do you do it before, say, the start of every match at Wimbledon?

I believe that it then becomes a situation akin to The Emperor's New Clothes where everyone feels obliged to do a minutes silence for virtually everything for fear of being accused of being crass or insensitive or disrespectful. And that's without even getting into the political question of "one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter" type scenario, eg if Military personnel get killed during a military conflict.

 

[TM Riddle]

No harm in standing straight for 2 minutes.Heck pretend if you have to.As someone mentioned before its basic etiquettes to pay respect to the dead when you are visiting someone's house and they are doing the same.I saw the pics and Saudis were standing there randomly like idiots while aussies paid their respect.Shows their culture really.

 

[Varun]

Terrible but having a minute silence for two people?

What is the going rate in your ideal world? 10 seconds per head? Five?

 

[Waseem]

Why are Australia having a minute silence for London?

If it was organised and the Saudi team agreed before hand then it's obviously wrong. There is just really no need, we could then see a minute silence ahead of a lot of matches, if other countries decide to hold a silence for an attack elsewhere.

This is irrelevant in the bigger picture. What does it really take to remain silent for a minute to pay respect to the deceased? And if you refuse to do it, what do you do while others remain silent? Off course you are silent anyway so why not join them?

 

[Black Zero]

Moment of silence started in 1912.


anyway, Saudi soccer federation already apologized.

per prior arrangement, Saudi players were supposed to stand and silent at their respective positions.

 

[Third_Umpire]

Not surprising coming from that vile country. Best case: those morons were negligent and couldn't understand or follow simple instructions. Worst case: they actively chose to not care and continue their warm up.

Glad Australia beat them in the game.

 

[SandyB]

Didn't India and Pakistan do it for this attack ? Heck even the English team who visited India soon after Mumbai 2008 did it, so did the NZ players who visited Pakistan .

If the host country pays respect to the dead , why cant the guest even stand still and acknowledge it, even if they don't participate. ?

Don't muslim posters here say " Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raaji'oon" every time there's news of a tragedy.. ? Things like that are basic etiquette . Same with the others going "RIP".

The Sauds are way too entitled and stuck up with religion.

 

[big_gamer007]

Didn't India and Pakistan do it for this attack ? Heck even the English team who visited India soon after Mumbai 2008 did it, so did the NZ players who visited Pakistan .

If the host country pays respect to the dead , why cant the guest even stand still and acknowledge it, even if they don't participate. ?

Don't muslim posters here say " Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raaji'oon" every time there's news of a tragedy.. ? Things like that are basic etiquette . Same with the others going "RIP".

The Sauds are way too entitled and stuck up with religion.

Well said, sadly you see people here defending the actions..

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Not surprising coming from that vile country. Best case: those morons were negligent and couldn't understand or follow simple instructions. Worst case: they actively chose to not care and continue their warm up.

Glad Australia beat them in the game.

I think the first case scenario is probably more likely, maybe they don't understand the concept of a minutes silence where they come from. In any case it's allowed many on here to take a dig at their vile country and that's at least some consolation.

 

[TM Riddle]

I think the first case scenario is probably more likely, maybe they don't understand the concept of a minutes silence where they come from. In any case it's allowed many on here to take a dig at their vile country and that's at least some consolation.

Captain as pointed out by many they have done it before.So this excuse is completely ruled out.
IMO they are just bigoted idiots which isn't surprising at all considering the country is renowned for it.

 

[www787]

Cosmetic sympathy is the worse kind of sympathy. Unfortunately, Cosmetic sympathy has become the norm.

 

[KingKhanWC]

This is irrelevant in the bigger picture. What does it really take to remain silent for a minute to pay respect to the deceased? And if you refuse to do it, what do you do while others remain silent? Off course you are silent anyway so why not join them?

You're missing my point. I take part in minute silences every time, out of respect. I have already stated if one was organised the Saudi team should have taken part.

The issue here is should sport and politics mix? We could end up with a situation where every other game is politicised. I just don't feel this is good for sport.

 

[Muhammad10]

Saudi Arabia football team bosses apologise for not observing minute's silence for London terror attack victims

Saudi Arabia’s football federation has apologised “unreservedly” for the actions of the national team at a match in Australia, when players did not pause to observe a minute of silence for the victims of the London Bridge terror attack before play.

“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 federation said in a statement on Friday.

“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 national team drew fierce criticism after it took up field positions before the Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifying match against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

The Australian players linked arms and stood with their heads bowed for a minute of silence for the eight victims of the car ramming and stabbing incidents in London Bridge on Saturday. Two Australian nationals were among those killed.

Footage from the match shows the Australian team lined up in the middle of the pitch, with the Saudi players choosing to finish their pre-match warm-up instead. The Saudi substitutes did not stand to observe the silence either.

"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.

Australia’s Football Federation (FFA), which organised the tribute, said they had been briefed by the visiting team just before the match that it was “not in keeping with Saudi culture” but that the Saudi players would “respect our custom whilst taking their own positions on the field”.

The move was widely criticised across Australia.

“This is not about culture,” one MP, Anthony Albanese, told local news. “This is about a lack of respect and I thought it was disgraceful.

Some social media users pointed out Saudi players and teams have previously observed such tributes, and Saudi side Al-Ahli Saudi FC paused for a minute of silence ahead of their Qatar Airways Cup match against Barcelona in December 2016.

Australia went on to win the Group B qualifier 3-2.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...ologise-minutes-silence-victims-a7781346.html

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Captain as pointed out by many they have done it before.So this excuse is completely ruled out.
IMO they are just bigoted idiots which isn't surprising at all considering the country is renowned for it.

Really? I wasn't aware that they had done it before, I must have missed it. Then the fault lies with the players since it seems their vile and bigoted country has apologised for their behaviour.

 

[jusarrived]

It's not that terrible. A minute's silence shouldn't be politically or ideologically motivated. It was crass of the Saudis not to respect the silence, but it does raise a good point that some lives seem to be more important than others.

Not really . The case is more about muslims themselves not valuing life of their own .

Roles reversed , you think the Ozs would do the same if a minutes silence was observed for lets say for dead in a terror attack in Pakistan ? I really dont think so , but the chances of Saudis observing silence for Pakistanis is closer to zero .

 

[BlueAngel]

Whats the point in calling yourself cultured when you refuse to condole victims just because they come from different culture.

Just standing silent for a minute wont break your roza, depth of a culture is in respecting others feelings and standing by them in their tough times, especially when you are visiting them.
Unless you support the terrorists then its a different story, then just come out in open and say it.

 

[jusarrived]

Never understood why Indians are often the first to show solidarity to the west in its tragedies and perform profile pic activism, but rarely make a hue or cry about their fellow indians being killed by the state.

No entirely true . Do you remember what happened during the Mumbai attacks ? any such incidents for that matter .