Al Nassr and AFC release statements as eight fixtures postponed after Iran attacks
Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have issued statements after eight Champions League and Challenge League fixtures were postponed following attacks on Iran.
The United States and Israel launched a 'major combat operation' on Iran in the early hours of Saturday morning, days after US-Iranian talks over Iran's nuclear programme ended.
US President Donald Trump said the purpose of the attacks is 'to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime'.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khemenei, was killed by a US and Israeli air strike on his office in Tehran on Saturday evening.
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The conflict has had a knock-on effect across the Middle East region, with Iran launching retaliatory attacks on US and Israeli military bases in Qatar, Jordan and Bahrain.
A series of explosions have also been heard in Dubai, alongside debris from aerial retaliatory attacks causing damage.
In response to the ongoing conflict, the Asian Football Federation (AFC) have confirmed that four Champions League matches, which were due to take place this week, have been postponed.
One of those matches is the quarter-final tie due to take place between Al Nassr and UAE Pro League side Al Wasl in Dubai.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who went on 'strike' from Al Nassr matches last month amid a reported dispute over transfer spending, has returned to action and would have been available for the Champions League 2 - Asia's equivalent of the Europa League - tie.
Al Nassr released a short statement in the early hours of Sunday morning, confirming that they had been informed by the AFC that the match had been 'postponed until further notice'.
The AFC released two statements on their official website surrounding their continental competitions and the Women's Asian Cup, which is currently being hosted in Australia.
On the Asian Cup, they stated that they 'will continue to assess the situation carefully in the best interests of all concerned, guided at all times by the well-being of the players and the spirit of unity'.
"In light of the developing situation in the Middle East, the Asian Football Confederation has confirmed that the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 Round of 16 first-leg matches in the West Region, originally scheduled for March 2-3, 2026, will now be rescheduled," a second statement reads.
"Additionally, the AFC Champions League Two and AFC Challenge League quarter-final first-leg matches involving teams in the West Region, originally scheduled to be played between March 3 and 4, 2026, are also postponed until further notice.
"Matches involving clubs from the East Region across all of the AFC's club competitions will proceed as originally scheduled.
"The AFC will continue to closely monitor this rapidly evolving situation and remains resolute in ensuring the safety and security of all players, teams, officials, and fans."
Topics: Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Football
Ryan Smart