Iranian clubs to host Asian games in neutral venues
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has ordered Iranian clubs Tractor, Sepahan, and Esteghlal to play their upcoming home games at the Asian competitions in neutral venues.
The continental governing body’s decision has been driven by the escalating regional tensions and recent unrest in the country.
Iranian top-flight champion Tractor will face Qatar’s Al Sadd in its penultimate outing in the league stage of the AFC Champions League Elite on February 10.
Dragan Skocic’s side sits second in the West Zone’s 12-team table with 14 points – four behind Saudi heavyweight Al Hilal – and has already secured qualification for the round of 16 of Asia’s top-tier club competition with two matches to spare in the league phase.
Sepahan and Esteghlal, meanwhile, have advanced to the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Two after finishing runner-up in their respective groups.
Esteghlal, which claimed a comprehensive 3-0 away victory over Bahrain’s Al Muharraq in a must-win clash in December to finish behind the UAE’s Al Wasl in Group A, will play Jordan’s Al Hussein in the first leg of their last-16 tie on February 10 – a day before Sepahan goes head-to-head with Qatari club Al Ahli.
The Persian Gulf Pro League trio are expected to host their opponents in the United Arab Emirates, according to reports in the Iranian media.