2023-10-02 20:07:45
Photo: © Lighthouse Films / DigitalVision / Gettyimages.ru
The Saudi Al-Ittihad, which includes, in particular, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, refused to play the away match of the 2nd round of the Asian Champions League with the Iranian Sepahan because of the monument at the stadium.
The Group C match was supposed to take place on Monday in Iran, but Al Ittihad did not take the field. According to some media reports, the guests were confused by the bust of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, installed right next to the field. After some time, the Saudi club left the stadium altogether, heading to the airport.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) later said the game had been canceled due to “unforeseen circumstances”. According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, Sepahan plans to file a complaint with the AFC. It has not yet been announced what sanctions Al-Ittihad may face for not attending the match. The AFC said in its release that “the matter will be referred to the appropriate authorities.”
Previously, clubs from Iran and Saudi Arabia held head-to-head matches on neutral fields due to difficult relations between the states. This ban was lifted before the 2023/24 season.
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