Saudi Football Chiefs Apologize over Team’s Refusal to Pay Tribute

• Saudi Arabia and Australia played a World Cup qualifying game in Australia on Thursday, 8th of June
• Before the game, Australian players linked arms in tribute to the victims of the London Attack
• The players from the Saudi team did not take part in the tribute, inviting criticism from all over the world

June 06, 2017: The Football Federation Australia (FFA) organized a minute's silence to pay their tributes to the victims of the London Attack minutes before the start of the World Cup qualifying game between Australia and Saudi Arabia and both the teams were briefed in advance.

While the Australian stars linked arms and stood in support of condemning the terror attack, the Saudi players were seen taking up their respective playing positions on the field for the kick-off despite having agreed to the tradition in the pre-game briefing.

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The Saudi Arabian team has invited a lot of criticism and anger from the world over. Social media was quick to react and bring up the issue, prompting an apology from the Saudi Football officials. An Australian MP called it "a disgraceful act".

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has made an "unreserved apology". They continue that the "players did not intend any disrespect to the victims or their families". They also condemned all acts of terror.

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Two Australians were among the eight victims who died in the London terror attack. Australia went on to win the game 3-2 and joined Saudi Arabia and Japan at the top of the group stage.

– by Saksham Narula of NewsGram. Twitter: @Saksham2394