"The Saudi Arabian Football Federation deeply regrets and unreservedly apologises for any offence 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 in memory of the victims of the London terrorist attack on 3 June 2017, prior to the World Cup Qualifying match against Australia in Adelaide," a holding statement by the federation reads. According to News.com in Australia, the pregame moment of silence itself was approved by both Asian Football Confederation officials and the Saudi team, but a spokesman for Football Federation Australia said the Saudis also informed game officials that they would not be taking part. Several of the Saudi players wandered away while the Socceroos observed the silent tribute in honour of two Australians killed in Saturday’s London terror attack. A spokesperson for Football Federation Australia (FFA) said after the match: ‘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 bombings in London and in particular the two Australian women. "Both the Australian Football Confederation and the Saudi team agreed that the minute of silence could be held," it was quoted as saying. ‘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.’

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The Saudi Arabia national team provokes outrage for failing to observe a minutes silence at a World Cup qualifier against Australia at Adelaide Oval. The minute silence was in commemoration of the two Australian victims of the June 2017 London attack. The incident received condemnation from Australia's political leaders.