Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr to take on Iran’s Persepolis in AFC Champions League today

ANKARA

Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr will take on Iran’s Persepolis in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr cancel training for security reasons as fans flock to catch glimpse of Cristiano Ronaldo in Iran’s Persepolis https://t.co/owXasZp7er pic.twitter.com/j6lFudbAfm

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) September 19, 2023

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr have reportedly been forced to cancel the latest training session in Iran due to security concerns, as fans flock to the training area to catch a glimpse of the Portuguese legend.

Ronaldo's arrival in Tehran sparked excitement among local fans, with thousands of them lining up outside the Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran to see their favorite footballer, who is visiting Iran for the first time.

The 38-year-old was greeted upon arrival by Iranian football legend Ali Daei and senior officials.

Iran and Saudi Arabia reestablished diplomatic relations in April of this year after Chinese mediation. Relations were restored seven years after they were severed following the storming of the Saudi Embassy in Tehran and the consulate in Mashhad by angry mobs in response to the execution of a Saudi Shia cleric.

No spectators

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation Mehdi Taj announced on Sept. 11 that the game will be played at Azadi Stadium without spectators due to a ban imposed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on the Persepolis club for sharing a controversial post about India as a penalty.

The AFC decided on the formal complaint of FC Goa, a professional football club in the Indian Super League, objecting to the Iranian club's post glorifying the invasion of India before their game against the Indian club in 2021.