9 Jun, 2017 13:16

FIFA refuses to punish Saudi players over London attacks snub

FIFA has refused to punish the Saudi Arabia men’s national football team after they snubbed a minute’s silence in memory of the London terrorist attack victims before a World Cup qualifier against Australia.

Eight people - including two Australian nationals - were killed and more than 50 injured when a group of three terrorists drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge and then began stabbing revelers in London’s busy Borough Market area on June 3, before being shot dead by police marksmen.

Saudi football team under fire for failing to line up to honor London attack victims

On Thursday, Australia met Saudi Arabia in their World Cup qualifier Asia group at the Adelaide Oval.

As the Australian team lined up with their arms around each other to pay their respects before the game, the Saudi players could be seen wandering around the pitch, actively refusing to take part and instead jogging and stretching.

However, FIFA announced it would not take any action against the players or the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF).

"After reviewing the match report and images of the said match, we can confirm that there are no grounds to take disciplinary action in relation to the matter you mention," FIFA said in a statement, Reuters reported.

Conversely, the SAFF said it “deeply regrets” the snub and apologized “unreservedly” for the incident in a statement.

“The Saudi Arabian Football Federation deeply regrets and unreservedly apologizes for any offense caused by the failure of some members of the representative team of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to formally observe the one minute’s silence,” the statement read.

Saudi Arabia National Team Refuses to Line up in Moment of Silence to Honor London Attack Victims. pic.twitter.com/j1yKTV0mqR
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) June 8, 2017

“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,” it continued.

“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.”