The Asian Champions League match between Iran’s Sepahan and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad was postponed after the visitors refused to play over a statue at the Nagsh-e-Jahan Stadium.
“Al-Ittihad” decided not to play the match with “Sepakhan” (Iran) due to political reasons
Sepakhan (Iran) – Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) match scheduled for Monday at 19:00 has not been played.
The team played by Benzema, Kante or Fabinho refused to take the field, citing non-football political reasons, because of the statue inside the stadium, writes AS.com.
The bust, installed behind the referee’s booth at the Nagsh-e-Jahan Stadium, represents Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in 2020 in Iraqi territory during a raid.
After a seven-year ban, the Saudi Arabian government has allowed its nationals into Iranian territory to facilitate Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal matches against Iranian clubs in the Asian Champions League (AFC).
AFC representatives made a statement explaining the announcement of the suspension of the game.
“The Group C match between Sepahan and Al Ittihad on Monday night has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.
AFC reaffirms its commitment to ensure the safety of players, referees, spectators and everyone involved.
The case will be referred to competent commissions,” the organizer of the Asian Champions League said.
At the national level, the administration and players of the Union informed the match observers and referees about political figures on the pitch, this shows the high level of the team #التحميلthe power of Saudi clubs in their majestic presence even outside the stadium, sports brings us together and this is a message to the world from the ancient Saudi team uD83CuDDF8uD83CuDDE6 pic.twitter.com/5M6I5temn6
— Tarek Al-Ahmar (@ttalahmari) October 2, 2023
The match was cancelled #دوري_أبطال_آسيا 2023-2024 in the third group that was supposed to meet between Iran’s Sibahan and Saudi Union at the Naqsh Jahan Stadium in Isfahan on Monday due to unforeseen circumstances. https://t.co/nyGQrXpTXb
— Champions of Asia (@theAFCCL_ar) October 2, 2023
Source: Hot News
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