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Fans of Sepahan light flares and smoke in the stands after their AFC Champions League match against Al Ittihad was cancelled. EPA
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A bust of Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Suleimani on the pitch at the Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium in Isfahan. The match between Iran's Sepahan and Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad was cancelled 'due to unanticipated and unforeseen circumstances', the Asian Football Confederation said. AFP
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Al Ittihad players arrive at the Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium in Isfahan, Iran, ahead of their AFC Champions League group match. AFP
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In this photo provided by Iranian Students' News Agency, ISNA, members of Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad team leave Naghsh-e-Jahan stadium in the central city of Isfahan, Iran after the Saudi club refused to play because of the presence of a statue of a slain Iranian general Qassem Soleimani placed on the sideline, Saudi state media reported. AP
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Players of Sepahan wave to spectators after their AFC Champions League group match against Al Ittihad was cancelled. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/F24VUMU6QJ2KXTVUUR7H3FAWXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=54fe556038785de389628cc24753b15d1aec798f1e2b7e9cb0bd7c65e2dbfaac&width=400&height=225)
Fans of Sepahan light flares and smoke in the stands after their AFC Champions League match against Al Ittihad was cancelled. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DTXYSBROKNFH7GOQTCP73JUOC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=8171c74efdb4072a655a82ba93b9cbce12736082a68becc7da789b34ee5f1ced&width=400&height=225)
A bust of Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Suleimani on the pitch at the Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium in Isfahan. The match between Iran's Sepahan and Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad was cancelled 'due to unanticipated and unforeseen circumstances', the Asian Football Confederation said. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UEM5YGUWO46DPDQ3PHJJN6A3FM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9cf3264b1fabe02ec45949e3bf70daad2a6a6f4206028b32fca25e148eabdc4e&width=400&height=225)
Al Ittihad players arrive at the Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium in Isfahan, Iran, ahead of their AFC Champions League group match. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3EEFK6JVYFUMSFXAV4WB5JYE2A.jpg?smart=true&auth=c8841bd2c1170330f2476b11af2b44eec48df675070790ee621310e6cfaf3e96&width=400&height=225)
In this photo provided by Iranian Students' News Agency, ISNA, members of Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad team leave Naghsh-e-Jahan stadium in the central city of Isfahan, Iran after the Saudi club refused to play because of the presence of a statue of a slain Iranian general Qassem Soleimani placed on the sideline, Saudi state media reported. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CI4DFKANV76K5AIKOFBQBWPGB4.jpg?smart=true&auth=53df1f0dce03310e4bca86256bb52fd9d907f381eff303c7002b02d04f64ce61&width=400&height=225)
Players of Sepahan wave to spectators after their AFC Champions League group match against Al Ittihad was cancelled. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/F24VUMU6QJ2KXTVUUR7H3FAWXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=54fe556038785de389628cc24753b15d1aec798f1e2b7e9cb0bd7c65e2dbfaac&width=400&height=225)
Fans of Sepahan light flares and smoke in the stands after their AFC Champions League match against Al Ittihad was cancelled. EPA