Saudi football team rejects match over Soleimani statue

Isfahan: A recent football match in the Asian Champions League between Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad and Iran's Sepahan took an unexpected turn as the Saudi team refused to play, citing the presence of a statue of former Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani at the stadium's entrance.

Scheduled for Monday, October 2, the match was set to be held at the Nagmush Jahan Stadium in Isfahan, Iran.

However, upon seeing the statue of Qassem Soleimani, the Saudi team declined to take the field, leading to the cancellation of the game.

In response to the incident, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to ensuring the safety of all participants, including players, match officials, spectators, and other stakeholders involved in the event.

The matter will now be referred to the respective committees for further consideration.

Photos circulated on social media depicted the statue of Qassem Soleimani prominently positioned at the entrance to the football pitch, which seemingly became a point of contention for the visiting Saudi team.

NEW -- #Saudi football team @ittihad were meant to play Isfahan in #Iran tonight -- but organizers placed a bust of Qassem #Soleimani at the entrance, where the players would run out onto the pitch.

Ittihad have left the stadium in protest, refusing to play. pic.twitter.com/tgqUAaqDbO

— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) October 2, 2023