AFC Champions League: Saudi Federation backs Al Ittihad stance over Suleimani statue

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has thrown its full support behind Al Ittihad following the cancellation of their Asian Champions League match with Iran’s Sepahan on Monday night, insisting it will take “all legal measures to preserve the rights” of the Saudi champions.

The Group C fixture at the Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium in Isfahan was called off after Ittihad reportedly refused to enter the pitch because a bust of the late Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps general Qassem Suleimani was on display at the entrance.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the continent’s governing body, later said the match had been “cancelled due to unanticipated and unforeseen circumstances”.

Ittihad, two-time Asian champions, left the stadium not long after the postponement was confirmed to fly back to Jeddah.

On Tuesday morning, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) said: “The Saudi Football Federation closely monitored the scheduled match on Monday evening between the national representative, Al Ittihad Club, and its host, Sepahan Isfahan, from Iran, in the second round of the AFC Champions League.

“The Saudi Federation commends the Asian Football Confederation's dedication to ensuring the match takes place under suitable conditions, a commitment noticed and appreciated by the Saudi Federation through continuous monitoring by its two representatives accompanying Al Ittihad Club in Iran.

“The Saudi Federation affirms its unwavering support for Al Ittihad Club and pledges to take all necessary legal measures to protect the club's rights.”

الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم يؤكد على دعمه الكامل لممثل الوطن نادي الاتحاد واتخاذ كافة الطرق القانونية لحفظ حقوق النادي. pic.twitter.com/L20jxW7QpJ

In a statement, minutes before the SAFF post,