The Asian Football Confederation expressed its initial position regarding the withdrawal, in the last minutes, from holding the match between the Saudi Jeddah Federation and the Iranian Sepahan Club, which was scheduled for yesterday evening, Monday, in the second round of the AFC Champions League groups.
The Jeddah Federation players refused to enter the field of the match stadium (Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium in Isfahan), there in Iran, until one of the political pictures in the players’ corridor was removed, which did not please the Jeddah Federation officials.
Due to the developments that accompanied this issue and the unexpected circumstances, the match was later canceled, according to the Asian Football Confederation in a statement on this occasion.
The aforementioned Continental Federation statement said, “The third group match in the AFC Champions League between Sepahan of Iran and Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, which was scheduled to be held at Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium in Isfahan (Monday evening, has been cancelled, due to unforeseen circumstances.”)
The source continued, “The AFC renews its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of players, match referees, fans, and all relevant stakeholders,” noting that “this matter will be referred to the relevant committees” to consider it and announce the necessary decisions regarding this situation.
