Saudi Arabia National Team refuse to do a minutes silence

[Aussie Rules]

Very good piece from the Aussie press.

 

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/insolence-speaks-louder-than-words-20170609-gwo6gq.html?btis

 

Cheers Jean,

 

Greg Baum is well respected 'Downunder

 

Our politicians would have been holding their collective breath waiting for Greg's broadside of the Saudis...

[Paul6754]

Americans discovered the first commercially viable oil field in Saudi Arabia in the Dhahran area, I think there was (maybe still is) a large American community in that region to enable oil production.

 

Saudi Arabia was described as the richest country in the world ca 2008 when the price of a barrel of crude oil was ca $160.

 

Attacking the twin towers was a "nice" way to repay a country that helped the Saudis move from being a bunch of desert nomads to untold riches.

[philpvfc]

Very good piece from the Aussie press.

 

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/insolence-speaks-louder-than-words-20170609-gwo6gq.html?btis

 

Very well put.

[Jacko51]

With regard to the players acting on the orders of their government/FA, this photo from the England team prior to a friendly in Berlin in 1938 shows what embarrassment it can cause the players.

 

[RailwayRowdy]

With regards to the 1938 England game in Berlin, whilst on holiday in Newquay in 1976, I met the England and Huddersfield centre half Alf Young who played in that game and is obviously on the above photo. The subject of the Nazi salute came up in conversation and he told me that they were told categorically, despite their reservations, that they must all respect their German hosts with the salute. I also have a photo of him and myself with his 1938 FA Cup runners up medal around my neck ! Yes, a really interesting few days in his company.

 

Sent from my GT-I9195I using the onevalefan mobile app

[Jacko51]

With regards to the 1938 England game in Berlin, whilst on holiday in Newquay in 1976, I met the England and Huddersfield centre half Alf Young who played in that game and is obviously on the above photo. The subject of the Nazi salute came up in conversation and he told me that they were told categorically, despite their reservations, that they must all respect their German hosts with the salute. I also have a photo of him and myself with his 1938 FA Cup runners up medal around my neck ! Yes, a really interesting few days in his company.

 

Sent from my GT-I9195I using the onevalefan mobile app

 

That's a great story. Thanks.

[Aussie Rules]

That's a great story. Thanks.

 

Agreed Jean, a gem of a memoir

[JOHNNYAITCH]

With regards to the 1938 England game in Berlin, whilst on holiday in Newquay in 1976, I met the England and Huddersfield centre half Alf Young who played in that game and is obviously on the above photo. The subject of the Nazi salute came up in conversation and he told me that they were told categorically, despite their reservations, that they must all respect their German hosts with the salute. I also have a photo of him and myself with his 1938 FA Cup runners up medal around my neck ! Yes, a really interesting few days in his company.

 

Sent from my GT-I9195I using the onevalefan mobile app

 

Great story

[RailwayRowdy]

Just as a footnote to the above story, Alf Young also told me that the match was little more than a propaganda exercise that Hitler was desperate to win. Consequently the German FA/Authorities did all they could to help the Germans win. This, according to Alf, included giving the home side a changing room at ground level on the halfway line. Meanwhile, England were allotted a changing room at the far end of the vast stadium and right at the top of the stands. Alf said that at half time, by the time they got to the changing room it was time to head out back to the pitch so as not to miss the 2nd half kick off time. All the England team realised they were pawns in the political game. Nazi salutes (insisted on by the ENGLISH FA), changing rooms etc and this inspired them on to give such a good performance.

 

Sent from my GT-I9195I using the onevalefan mobile app

[RailwayRowdy]

With reference to the above thread, it seems this Nazi appeasement had been going on for years. I've just come across this photo of Derby on a German tour in 1934. Check out the Derby player on the far left of the photo with his less than enthusiastic response. Anyone any idea who he may be ?