Saudi Arabia national team manager Bert van Marwijk told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad that the planned minute silence for the victims of the London terror attacks was poorly communicated hence why the players did not partake in it.

  • By James Rowe
  • Follow James on Twitter

Saudi Arabia caused controversy before their World cup qualifier with Australia when they failed to take part in the minute silence, causing widespread criticism. Saudi Arabia went on to lose the game 3-2 and remain 2nd in their World Cup group on goal difference.

van Marwijk said after the game, ”The minute silence was very poorly communicated. The day before the game there was an extensive briefing about the protocol of the match and there was not a single inclusion as regards to a minute’s silence due to be held.

”Only shortly before the game began was something stated about the minute’s silence and it was also unclear to the Saudi Arabia players why exactly the minute’s silence was being held.”




James Rowe (696 Posts)