Iran, Saudi Arabia agree to resolve sports dispute

By Yakoota Al Ahmad

ISTANBUL (AA) - Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to resolve a dispute between two of their nation’s football clubs, according to Iranian official news agency, IRNA.

An Asian Champions League (AFC) match was scheduled for Monday at the Naqsh e Jahan stadium in central Iran's Isfahan city.

Unconfirmed reports said the match between Iran’s Sepahan club and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad was canceled because of the presence of a statue of former Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani inside the stadium.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, agreed in a telephone call Thursday "to direct the sports institutions in the two countries to resolve the recent issue that arose during a match between the two clubs,” said IRNA.

The two officials said the two countries should work on a solution “through mutual respect, dialogue and understanding, within the framework of enhancing cultural and sports cooperation.”

Bin Farhan “invited his Iranian counterpart to attend the first upcoming football match between the two countries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

The Sepahan football club said the match was called off by the referee and the team would lodge a complaint with the AFC. Al-Ittihad said the AFC observer decided to cancel the match.

The AFC said the match was canceled due to “unanticipated” and “unforeseen circumstances,” and the issue would be referred to relevant committees.

Pertinently, Saudi Arabia's star-studded Al-Nassr football club beat Iran's Persepolis 2-0 last month at Tehran's Azadi Stadium.

Saudi football clubs have been visiting Iran in recent months after several years, marking a de-escalation of tensions between the two countries.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi