Saudi Arabia players fail to join minute's silence with Australia for London attack

Tribute: Two Australians were among the eight people killed in the attack
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Saudi Arabia players did not take part in a minute's silence held to honour victims of the London attack as opponents Australia lined up arm in arm.

When the stadium announcer called for the tribute before Thursday's World Cup qualifying match in Adelaide, the Saudi Arabia team milled about separately on the other side, seemingly ignoring the gesture.

The Australian soccer federation, known as FFA, said after the match - won 3-2 by the Socceroos - that the Saudis knew about the plan to hold a minute's silence 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."

Typically, Fifa representatives meet with officials from both teams and the referee a day before a World Cup qualifier to discuss all game protocol issues, including plans for a minute's silence.

Two Australians were among the eight people killed in Saturday's attack.​

Additional reporting by the Associated Press.

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