Apology issued after Saudi Arabian footballers fail to observe minute's silence

Saudi Arabia have apologised after several of their players failed to observe a one minute's silence ©Getty Images

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation have issued an apology after members of their team failed to observe a one minute’s silence for victims of the London terrorist attack.

Australian players lined up by the centre circle to participate in the silence before their FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Adelaide Oval.

One Saudi Arabian player was also pictured taking part, while two others were also seen to have placed their hands behind their back.

Their other team-mates continued to warm-up for the match.

The silence was arranged to honour the eight people killed in the London terror attack on June 3, where three attackers drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge before continuing to stab others at Borough Market in the capital city.

As well as the eight who died, 48 people were also injured.

Britain had earlier been targeted by a bombing at an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena on May 22, which killed 23 people.

Two Australians, Kirsty Boden and Sara Zelenak, were killed in the London Bridge attack.

“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 June 3, 2017, prior to the World Cup Qualifying match against Australia in Adelaide,” a statement read.

“The players did not intend any disrespect to the memories of the victims or to cause upset to their families, friends or any individual affected by the atrocity.

“The Saudi Arabian Football Federation condemns all acts of terrorism and extremism and extends its sincerest condolences to the families of all the victims and to the Government and people of the United Kingdom.”