Iran refuses to play Saudi clubs in Oman

Iran's main football body has said that it does not want to play Saudi clubs in Oman, after the Gulf state was chosen as neutral ground to hold the games between the two countries.

Football clubs from Saudi Arabia and Iran going head to head for the Asian Football Conferderation (AFC) Champions league were supposed to be held in Oman, Qatar and the UAE.

Oman was the third ‘neutral zone’ chosen to hold the Saudi-Iran club games – which incited fury among the IRIFF.

The Saudi teams competing are Al Ittihad, Al Nassr and Al Hilal, while their Iranian adversaries are Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan, Zob Ahan and Tractor Sazi Tabriz.

Football coach of Iranian club Zob Ahan recently stated that he wants his team to face Saudi’s Al-Nassr in Afghanistan or Tajikistan or Lebanon – and if the AFC rejects; to provide the funds to play in Sydney, Australia.

These were the fixtures for the games:

Group A – Match Day 5
April 20, 2016 Al Ittihad (KSA) vs. Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan (IRN)
Stadium: Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar

Group B – Match Day 5
April 20, 2016 Zob Ahan (IRN) vs. Al Nassr (KSA)
Stadium: Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat,Oman

Group B – Match Day 6
May 04, 2016 Al Nassr (KSA) vs. Zob Ahan (IRN)
Stadium: Rashid Stadium, Dubai, UAE

Group C – Match Day 5
April 19, 2016 Al Hilal (KSA) vs. Tractor Sazi Tabriz (IRN)
Stadium: Thani Bin Jassim Stadium, Doha, Qatar