Saudi Football Team Refuse To Have Minutes' Silence Fro London.

[10ClarionSt]

What do you reckon to this then?

https://uk.yahoo.com/sports/news/minute-apos-silence-australia-match-151722391.html

[fiction-factory]

I was a little surprised that they held a minute's silence in Australia (I know 2 of the dead were Australian) .
The Football Fed of Austaralia has said it was agreed before hand that the Saudi team would not observe it in the usual way:

"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 night's terror attacks in London and in particular the two Australian women," said the FFA.

"Both the AFC 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."

I'd have thought FIFA could have insisted on full observance b clearly this didn't happen. I wish they had.

Although cultural reasons were cited many will assume it was due to the Saudi's stance regarding Islamism and IS. I wonder if they would had done the same if it was a minute's silence for, say, earthquake deaths or an explosion in oil fields.

It seems odd but by the same token maybe some cultures who screech/wail in response to deaths don't understand why we don't do the same.

[fiction-factory]

Was that the one where everyone was banging themselves on the head?

[jourdain2]

As long as they accept that we don't respect their cultural traditions, what can go wrong?

[-Talbot-]

As long as they accept that we don't respect their cultural traditions, what can go wrong?

indeedy.

[DTCwordfan]

the Oz team should have burned the Koran in front of them.

[bednobs]

i would absolutely uphold anyone's right NOT to participate in silence if they so wish. If you IMPOSE it on people it's completely meaningless

[DTCwordfan]

Surely it should be a mark of respect, especially to the home nation?

[bednobs]

ihave no idea, and dont care (seeing as that is not what this question is about) Are you saying you would rather people were FORCED to comply? in any case your scenario seems unlikely given that according tot he link, silence as a form of tribute in these circumstances are not in their culture

[B00]

"Are you saying you would rather people were FORCED to comply?"

well you can't force them can you? But I do think they should have respected the cultural belief of their host nation, and at least stood still. Anyone visiting their countries are expected to follow/ respect their beliefs- what's this different?

[ludwig]

// i would absolutely uphold anyone's right NOT to participate in silence if they so wish. If you IMPOSE it on people it's completely meaningless //

Fair enough, but it was obviously imposed upon the Saudi team that they SHOULDN'T participate. How do you feel about that?

[douglas9401]

I suppose it's something that they didn't cavort in gleeful satisfaction of a successful mission.

How the breathtakingly arrogant make friends and influence people.

[ludwig]

// I suppose it's something that they didn't cavort in gleeful satisfaction of a successful mission. //

Yes Dougie, I suppose we have to give them credit for having the courtesy do that in private rather than on the pitch.

[cassa333]

One should follow the cultural norms of the host nation providing it does not infringe moral sensibilitys.

It was rude of the Saudi team to ignore this and should at least have stood still.

If a nation and its teams want respect they should at least be prepared to show respect.

[hereIam]

I thought they were rude and ignorant ...