Egypt, S.Arabia step up trade ties through coordination council talks    Egypt reviews progress on $200m World Bank-funded waste management hub    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    SCZONE showcases investment opportunities to eight Japanese companies    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    SCZONE, Tokyo Metropolitan Government sign MoU on green hydrogen cooperation    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



AFC moves location of Saudi-Iranian match
AFC found the Saudi Football Federation's request reasonable due to the sensitive nature of the two countries' current diplomatic ties.
Mohamed Farouk Published in Daily News Egypt on 06 - 01 - 2016

Due to the recent attacks on Saudi diplomatic buildings in Iran, the Asian Football Association (AFC) has changed the location of the upcoming match between Saudi Arabia and Iran in the Asian Champions League to neutral ground. Following the execution of prominent activist Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr, the attacks on Saudi Arabian diplomatic buildings have prompted Saudi Arabia to sever diplomatic ties with Iran.
The AFC has stated that the request from the Saudi Football Federation was reasonable and should be understood due to the sensitive nature of the two countries' current diplomatic ties.
"We are seeking the safest conditions and the best interests of the teams, and are following all the latest updates on the diplomatic crisis," said the AFC.
AFC's competition draw for the upcoming season pitted Saudi Al-Helal against Iranian Tractor Sazi Tabriz on 24 February as well as Al-Nasr versus Sepahan in the beginning of March. Two other confrontations of Saudi and Iranian teams are possible; Saudi Al-Ahly Jeddah awaits the winner of the Naft Tehran and the Qatari Al-Geish match, while the Iranian Foolad Khozestan awaits the winner of the Itihad Jeddah and the Jordanian Wehdat match in the qualifying round up to group stage. This means a total of four possible matches between teams of both countries.
Iran and Saudi Arabia's football rivalry began in 1975 when both national football teams met for the first time, resulting in Iran wining 3-0.
They have played a total of 15 times with Iran winning five games, Saudi Arabia winning four games, with six games finishing at a draw.
Both nations have never played each other in a friendly game and each team has managed only one win on the other's home soil. Iran's win was in the 1978 world cup qualifications in 1977 with a 3-0 in Riyadh, whereas Saudi Arabia won by 2-1 in Tehran at the 2010 world cup qualifications in 2009.

Clic here to read the story from its source.