The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has apologised for "any offense caused" after its players declined to participate in a minute's silence in memory of last weekend's deadly attacks in London before the start of a World Cup qualifying match against Australia.
When the stadium announcer called for a minute's silence Thursday night to honour the eight victims, including two Australians, the 11 Australian players on the field lined up near the centre circle with arms on their teammates' shoulders.
Their opponents from Saudi Arabia stayed on the other side, most seemingly ignoring the gesture, which sparked an immediate backlash. Video appeared to show one Saudi player bending down to tie his shoe lace during the minute of silence.
The Saudi federation statement said it "deeply regrets and unreservedly apologises for any offense caused."
“The players did not intend any disrespect to the memories of the victims or to cause upset to their families, friends or any individual affect by the atrocity,” the statement said. “The Saudi Arabian Football Federation condemns all acts of terrorism and extremism and extends its sincerest condolences to the families of all the victims.”
Australia won the match 3-2 to move level on points with Saudi Arabia and Japan atop the qualifying group with two games remaining.
Football Federation Australia said the Saudi team management knew about the plan to hold a minute's silence before the match and had indicated that the players wouldn't participate.
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.FFA statement
Typically, representative of soccer's world governing body, FIFA, meet with officials from both teams and the referee a day before a World Cup qualifier to discuss game-related protocol, including plans for reflections such as the minute's silence.
There was no immediate response from FIFA or the Asian Football Confederation.
Senior Australian Labor politician Anthony Albanese described it as "a disgraceful lack of respect."
There is no excuse here. This isn’t about culture. This is about a lack of respect.
After the match, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Japan all had 16 points in qualifying Group B, although Japan had a game in hand.
Australia plays at Japan on 31 August and hosts Thailand on 5 September in its remaining matches. In between, the Australians will play at the Confederations Cup in Russia.
The top two countries in the six-team group qualify for next year's World Cup in Russia, with the third-place country advancing to a playoff.
(This article has been edited for length.)
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