Soccer Not to Be Affected by Diplomatic Dispute: FIFA Candidate
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - FIFA candidate, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, called for soccer not to be affected by the diplomatic dispute.
Saudi Arabia's soccer federation has said its clubs will not play Asian Champions League matches in Iran amid rising diplomatic tension.
The decision at a SAFF executive meeting Thursday comes days after individual clubs refused to travel to Iran when the competition kicks off next month.
On Thursday, the Saudi soccer body said it awaits an Asian Football Confederation response to its request to order matches for its clubs in Iran moved to neutral countries.
"That is critical, whatever politics is out there doesn't interfere with our sport in any way," Prince Ali told reporters in London.