In a notable turn of events, Al Ittihad’s scheduled AFC Champions League match against Iranian side Sepahan was abruptly canceled.
The Saudi Arabian club refused to play when they discovered the presence of a statue depicting Iranian military officer Qasem Soleimani at Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium in Isfahan, where Sepahan was the host.
Qasem Soleimani, who led Iran’s Quds Force and oversaw military operations in the Middle East, was killed in a US airstrike in Iraq in 2020. The strike was carried out in response to his alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States in 2011.
The AFC (Asian Football Confederation) issued a statement regarding the cancellation, citing “unanticipated and unforeseen circumstances” and emphasizing its commitment to the safety and security of all involved parties. The matter will now be referred to relevant committees.
Historically strained relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have played a role in such incidents, though there have been recent diplomatic improvements. Saudi clubs had not played in Iran for eight years until Al Nassr faced Persepolis in September.
Notably, just prior to the scheduled kick-off, Al Ittihad’s official social media account expressed enthusiasm for the match. However, after discovering the statue, they deleted pictures of the bust, indicating the sensitivity of the situation.
Sepahan and Al Ittihad will need to agree on a future date to reschedule the match.