FMs Tackle Hosting Concerns For Iranian, Saudi Football Teams

Efforts to address the hosting predicament surrounding the matches involving Iranian and Saudi Arabian football teams have been undertaken by the foreign ministers of both nations.

Since 2016, matches between representatives from Iran and Saudi Arabia in the Asian Champions League have been conducted on neutral territory, as mandated by the AFC executive board. Recent developments, however, have given rise to speculation about potential alterations to this arrangement.

According to reports, the Asian Football Confederation has initiated communication with the football federations of Iran and Saudi Arabia, with the aim of collaboratively designating a host location in a third country.

Mehdi Taj, the head of the Iran Football Federation, revealed during a sideline conversation at the Football Board Assembly that "Iran's Foreign Minister engaged in discussions with his Saudi Arabian counterpart to address the issue of holding matches between the two countries' representatives on neutral ground."

In contrast, Reza Darvish, the CEO of Persepolis football club, expressed his club's rejection of the directive received from the federation to select a host for Al-Nasr FC. He further communicated that Persepolis club is actively communicating with the football federation through correspondence, with the goal of retaining the privilege to host the match in Iran.

These negotiations occur against the backdrop of a significant diplomatic rapprochement facilitated by China in March. This initiative brought an end to years of animosity between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which had strained regional stability in Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon. On June 7, 2023, Iran formally reopened its embassy in Saudi Arabia, marking a pivotal step towards the restoration of diplomatic relations.