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FIFA refuse to punish Saudi players over London attack minute’s silence snub

Saudi Arabia’s national football team have been criticized for ignoring a minute’s silence in memory of the London terrorist attack victims held before a World Cup qualifier against Australia on 8 June.

While The Socceroos lined up in the centre of the pitch held the brief silence as a tribute to the two Australians killed in the terrorist attack, the Saudi players could be seen wandering around the pitch, actively refusing to take part and instead jogging and stretching.

After this incident, the governing body of Saudi football later issued a statement saying it “deeply” regretted the snub and apologized “unreservedly” for the incident in a statement. 

However, Fifa said on Friday it had reviewed the match report and images from the incident, and will not take any action against Saudi Arabia, as reported by Reuters.