Al Ittihad are refusing to play AFC Champions League game vs Sepahan

Al Ittihad are refusing to play their scheduled AFC Champions League fixture over a statue dispute.

The Saudi Pro League champions have travelled to Iran to take on Sepahan at the Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium but as it stands the game is not going ahead.

Despite the team news being announced and the likes of N'Golo Kante and Fabinho preparing for the group stage encounter, there has been a lengthy delay for the 60,000 fans in attendance.

According to reports, players are not willing to take to the field unless a statue of former Iran military officer Qasem Soleimani is removed from inside the stadium.

The bust has been seen on the running track as players enter out of the tunnel, not far from the dugouts.

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Breaking:

The start of Al-Ittihad's match against Sepahan in Iran was delayed due to the Al-Ittihad team's refusal to enter the match stadium in light of the presence of a statue of Qa*se*m Sol*ei*ma*ni at the entrance of the stadium.

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— FAISAL RSL (@SaudiPLf) October 2, 2023

Footage appeared to show the team exiting the ground in protest.

Soleimani, once the second-most powerful man in Iran, was assassinated in a targeted American drone strike ordered by former United States president Donald Trump on 3 January 2020.

The game was supposed to kick off at 5pm but it is unlikely the fixture will be fulfilled.

Saudi teams did not play in Iran since for eight years after ties between the two countries were severed. Relations have improved, however, following an agreement brokered by China back in March.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr took on Iranian champions Persepolis in September and claimed a 2-0 victory in front of an empty stadium.

Al Nassr are also in action this evening as they host Tajik side FC Istiklol at Al Awwal Park, which is often referred to as Al Awwal Park.

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