ALBAWABA- The AFC Champions League match between Saudi club Al-Ittihad and Iranian club Sepahan was abruptly canceled due to a "non-sporting" crisis.
Al-Ittihad players refused to enter the field in protest against the presence of political banners and a statue of Qassim Soleimani in the stadium, objects they deemed unrelated to sports.
The Saudi team sought a 30-minute delay, requesting the home team to refrain from involving non-sporting matters, a plea that FIFA rejected.
The Asian Football Confederation, citing unexpected circumstances, announced the match's cancellation, emphasizing its commitment to the safety and security of players, officials, and fans.
The incident is now under review by the relevant committees.
