Karim Benzema’s Al-Ittihad have been at their absolute best this season, with a loss and a draw in eight matches costing them a spot at the top of the Saudi Pro League table currently occupied by Neymar’s Al-Hilal. With high-profile players like Kante, Fabinho, and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema on their books, Al-Ittihad have been among the best teams in the Saudi Pro League this season.
The club looked to continue its quest in the AFC Champions League yesterday against Iranian side Sepahan, but Nuno Santo’s men refused to come out of the dressing room because of a controversial statue of Qassem Soleimani placed at the stadium’s entrance, causing the match to be postponed.
Why did Al-Ittihad refuse to play vs Iran’s Sepahan?
Saudi Arabia’s tension with Iran has virtually affected everything both countries have done together. Sports, international relations – tension between both countries has led to several disputes over the years. However, soccer has looked like the best way to mend both parties’ relationship, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr being the first Saudi club to play in Iran since 2016, and Ronaldo getting a lot of love from the home country’s fans.
Despite being scheduled to play on a neutral ground due to security concerns, Al-Ittihad refused to come out of their dressing room to play their second AFC Champions League group stage match against Sepahan. A statue of the late Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was placed at the entrance to the pitch, a move that did not sit well with the Saudi club.
After waiting for a while, match officials decided to cancel the match, much to the dismay of the 60,000 fans present in the stadium to watch both teams play.
“The game was cancelled due to unanticipated and unforeseen circumstances”, The Asian Football Federation said in a statement.
“The AFC reiterates its commitment towards ensuring the safety and security of the players, match officials, spectators, and all stakeholders involved. This matter will now be referred to the relevant committees”, it concluded.
What is FIFA’s stance on political messaging on soccer fields?
FIFA once drew a line to separate the beautiful soccer game from political and social issues, but that line has increasingly eroded in recent years as the governing bods sought to expand its global influence. FIFA has punished teams for getting involved in socio-political issues on the pitch before, but the body’s inconsistencies on similar events have undermined its authority in the past few years.
Al-Ittihad’s decision not to play against Sepahan was in response to the presence of a statue of a late Iranian general, another instance of how socio-political issues have eaten so deep into the game that’s supposed to be a common ground for everyone. It’s unclear yet what FIFA will do about this latest incident, but a little strictness on rules forbidding political messages on soccer fields would be a good start.
Should Al-Ittihad be punished for refusing to come out to play the game?
