Tehran: Iran's Ministry of Sports and Youth announced Thursday that national teams and clubs will not participate in competitions held in countries it considers 'hostile' until further notice, the Iranian official news agency IRNA reported.
According to Anadolu Agency, the ministry stated that the decision was prompted by reports of a potential match involving Iran's Tractor FC against a team from the United Arab Emirates on Saudi soil, as part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite.
The ministry emphasized that participation in countries deemed 'hostile' and 'unable to guarantee the safety' of Iranian athletes and team members is prohibited 'until further notice.'
Additionally, the ministry instructed the Football Federation and clubs to notify the AFC to 'relocate match venues' accordingly.