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Entertainment

Saudi Arabia fans slammed on social media for whistling during Franz Beckenbauer’s moment of silence

By Giancarlo Cornejo January 11, 2024
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Real Madrid player Toni Kroos was also whistled during the match.
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Real Madrid and Átletico Madrid faced off in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final this Wednesday in what would turn out to be one of the most entertaining matches of the season held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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The 8-goal thriller filled with last-minute goals and comebacks spilled into extra time for an already classic match in the history of the Madrid Derby.

Controversial moment of silence for Franz Beckenbauer in Madrid Derby

Prior to the start of the match, both teams gathered at the center half for a moment of silence to honor the late passing of soccer and German legend Franz Beckenbauer last Monday. Beckenbauer, the two-time World Cup and Ballon D’Or winner, will forever be regarded as of one the greatest players in the history of the game.

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However, what was made out to be a moment of silence for the soccer icon, turned into a moment of unanimous whistling from fans in Al-Awwal Stadium.

Fans whistled and booed throughout the entirety of the moment honoring the German icon, with many players and staff looking uncomfortable during the situation.

The reason for the reaction to the moment of silence from the crowd is unknown, with many fans speculating it was seen as a religious conflict or direct effect of the recent anti-German sentiments following their disapproval of the Qatar World Cup.

This is the fifth year running since the Spanish Federation made the controversial decision to play the Spanish Super Cup competition in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabian fans were slammed on social media for whistling Beckenbauer’s moment of silence and booing Toni Kroos

The whistling and booing from Saudi Arabian fans present in the Spanish SuperCup didn’t have the best reception on social media.

Clips of the whistling during Beckenbauer’s moment of silence went viral online just moments after happening, with fans on social media labeling the acts in Al-Awwal stadium as ‘disgusting’, ‘distasteful’, ‘embarrassing’ and ‘shameful’.

Fans on social media also criticized Saudi Arabian fans’ decision to boo and whistle Real Madrid and former German international Toni Kroos whenever he came in contact with the ball, something that remained constant since he came in as a substitute in the 67th minute.

Kroos had recently made comments about the recent wave of star players moving to Saudi Arabia, labelling their decision to transfer to the Saudi Pro League as "embarrassing" and "money ambitious."

A fan present in the stadium showed a Google search of Kroos’ comments on the Saudi League while the 34-year-old received boos and whistles from the crowd.

The five-time UEFA Champions League and World Cup winner responded on X, sarcastically claiming their was an “amazing crowd” despite the live backlash from fans throughout the match. The post has over 18 million views.

Real Madrid and Toni Kroos await a rival between FC Barcelona and Osasuna for the Spanish Super Cup final this Sunday to be held at the Al-Awwal Stadium.

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