AFC president says committees reviewing Al Nassr and Al Wasl postponement

Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa says the AFC’s specialist committees are examining the decision to postpone Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League Elite match against Al Wasl.

The match was scheduled to take place on Monday at Al-Awwal Park, with Al Nassr due to host the UAE club in the third round of the West region group stage. The AFC’s competitions department announced that the fixture would be rearranged, with a new date to be confirmed.

Speaking exclusively to Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiya, AFC president Sheikh Salman said the decision was being reviewed by the relevant bodies and did not rest solely with the organisation’s leadership.

“The AFC’s specialist committees are following all the details and studying all the matters and circumstances in full. The issue is not limited to the presidency of the AFC,” he said.

He added: “We are following all the matters and developments in coordination with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. At the appropriate time, everything will be announced through the official system.”

The decision prompted a firm response from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, which said all arrangements for hosting the match had already been completed.

In a statement issued after the postponement was announced, the federation said it was ready to provide Al Nassr with full support in any formal procedures the club might pursue to protect its rights.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation said it had completed the preparations required to receive Al Wasl’s delegation in full coordination with Al Nassr and the relevant authorities. Those preparations included issuing flight permits and providing all organisational and logistical requirements.

It also said it had formally notified the AFC that the preparations were complete, while coordinating with the United Arab Emirates Football Association and Al Wasl and informing both that the arrangements were in place and the visiting delegation could be received.

The federation pointed to the arrival in Riyadh of the match commissioner and the appointed refereeing team as further evidence that the fixture was ready to be played as scheduled.

It concluded by reaffirming its full backing for Al Nassr and all Saudi Arabian clubs competing in international competitions. The federation also repeated its willingness to provide every form of assistance in any formal action taken to safeguard their rights.