The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that all matches between the national teams and clubs of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) will now be played on a home-and-away basis. This development follows an agreement reached between SAFF and FFIRI, which has been officially communicated to the AFC.
Previously, all matches between SAFF and FFIRI at both national and club levels were mandated to be played at neutral venues, as per the 2016 decision of the AFC Competitions Committee and AFC Executive Committee. The AFC welcomes this historic move as it demonstrates the commitment of both associations in building stronger connections within their respective football communities. This decision allows clubs to host matches on their home turf and visit each other’s stadiums, creating a more engaging and exciting experience for fans and players alike.
The home-and-away matches for the AFC Champions League 2023/24 season between clubs from SAFF and FFIRI are scheduled to start on September 19. The AFC is fully dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of all stakeholders involved in these matches while obtaining the necessary approvals from relevant AFC committees.
Source: Saudi Press Agency