FFA knew Saudi Arabia wouldn't observe minute's silence for London attack

Saudi Arabia's footballers appeared to ignore a minute's silence Thursday, but Football Federation Australia knew ahead of time that the Green Falcons' players wouldn't partake in the tribute.

Prior to Australia's 3-2 victory over Saudi Arabia in 2018 World Cup qualifying, a minute's silence was held at Adelaide Oval for victims of the London attack, in which two Australians were killed. While the Socceroos' footballers lined up on the centre circle and linked arms, the Green Falcons' players appeared to disregard the tribute and continued warming up. Salman Al Faraj was the only visitor who was seen with his hands behind his back.

After the game, a FFA spokesman said Saudi Arabia's footballers knew about the minute's silence but declined to participate since it wasn't "in keeping with Saudi culture."

"The FFA sought agreement from the Asian Football Confederation and the Saudi national team to hold a minute's silence in memory of those lost in Saturday's night terror bombings in London and in particular the two Australian women," the spokesman said, according to The Sydney Morning Herald's Michael Lynch.

"Both the AFC (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. The local broadcaster, FOX Sports, was informed of this prior to the minute's silence taking place."

The spokesman's words are a stark contrast to the minute's silence observed following the death of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, as the Guardian's Michael Safi pointed out.

While Australia is level on points with Japan and Saudi Arabia in Group B, the Socceroos are third due to goal difference. Only the top two national teams automatically qualify for the 2018 World Cup, while whoever finishes third will advance to a fourth round, in which the winner will play an inter-confederation play-off against an opponent from CONCACAF.