Why can't they all show good sportsmanship and just go out and play.
Yaghoub Karimi of Iran (L) challenges Husain Al Moqahwi of Saudi Arabia during their WAFF Championship soccer match in Kuwait City, Dec. 9, 2012. (photo by REUTERS/Stringer)
Iran-Saudi tensions play out on soccer field
The rising tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia are spilling out onto the soccer field. First in the media, and later in a letter to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Saudi officials have asked for games between Iranian and Saudi teams to be held at a neutral venue. Iranian officials have meanwhile emphasized that they will not accept the latter. The AFC has announced that it will issue its final verdict on the matter on March 15, and that if the disagreement is not solved before then, games will take place at a neutral venue.
Summary⎙ Print The ongoing conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia is affecting the sports world as regional soccer associations struggle to satisfy both parties' location and security demands.
Author Zahra AlipourPosted March 4, 2016
So far, both sides have been satisfied with the AFC’s decision. Iran constantly emphasizes the importance of separating soccer from politics.
The first time Iran was prevented from hosting a soccer game was during the 1986 World Cup qualifiers. Then, FIFA refused to allow Iran to host, as it was engaged in war with Iraq. FIFA suggested that the game be played in a third country, but Iran refused and thus pulled out of the competition. During the 1988 Seoul Olympics qualifiers, Iran was once again prevented from hosting a game since it was still engaged in war with Iraq. This time, however, Iran agreed to face off against Kuwait at a neutral venue.
The Saudis are refusing to travel to Iran because they don’t believe that the Islamic Republic can guarantee the safety of their athletes. Of note, Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran after its diplomatic compounds in Tehran and Mashhad were attacked by protesters. Those demonstrations were triggered by Riyadh’s execution of dissident Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
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: Iran-Saudi tensions play out on soccer field - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East
Yaghoub Karimi of Iran (L) challenges Husain Al Moqahwi of Saudi Arabia during their WAFF Championship soccer match in Kuwait City, Dec. 9, 2012. (photo by REUTERS/Stringer)
Iran-Saudi tensions play out on soccer field
The rising tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia are spilling out onto the soccer field. First in the media, and later in a letter to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Saudi officials have asked for games between Iranian and Saudi teams to be held at a neutral venue. Iranian officials have meanwhile emphasized that they will not accept the latter. The AFC has announced that it will issue its final verdict on the matter on March 15, and that if the disagreement is not solved before then, games will take place at a neutral venue.
Summary⎙ Print The ongoing conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia is affecting the sports world as regional soccer associations struggle to satisfy both parties' location and security demands.
Author Zahra AlipourPosted March 4, 2016
So far, both sides have been satisfied with the AFC’s decision. Iran constantly emphasizes the importance of separating soccer from politics.
The first time Iran was prevented from hosting a soccer game was during the 1986 World Cup qualifiers. Then, FIFA refused to allow Iran to host, as it was engaged in war with Iraq. FIFA suggested that the game be played in a third country, but Iran refused and thus pulled out of the competition. During the 1988 Seoul Olympics qualifiers, Iran was once again prevented from hosting a game since it was still engaged in war with Iraq. This time, however, Iran agreed to face off against Kuwait at a neutral venue.
The Saudis are refusing to travel to Iran because they don’t believe that the Islamic Republic can guarantee the safety of their athletes. Of note, Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran after its diplomatic compounds in Tehran and Mashhad were attacked by protesters. Those demonstrations were triggered by Riyadh’s execution of dissident Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
Read more
: Iran-Saudi tensions play out on soccer field - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East
