Al Nassr-Al Wasl meeting set for 27 December as points appeal continues

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that Al Nassr will host Al Wasl on Sunday, 27 December, bringing clarity to the rearranged fixture in the third round of the AFC Champions League Elite league stage.

The match will take place at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 local time. It was originally due to be played on Monday, 26 October, according to Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiya.

The initial postponement followed Al Wasl’s failure to travel to Riyadh for the fixture. Reports at the time referred to difficulties relating to the Emirati club’s travel arrangements.

The decision prompted a strong reaction in Saudi sporting circles, particularly because the match was scheduled to be played at Al Nassr’s home ground. Club officials said they had been prepared to receive their opponents and had not encountered any obstacle to staging the game.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation subsequently issued a statement saying that all conditions and arrangements had been put in place for Al Wasl’s delegation to arrive normally. The statement indicated that the Saudi side was ready to host the match and that there was no apparent reason preventing the visitors from reaching Riyadh.

Al Nassr then began pursuing the circumstances surrounding the postponement through official channels. Al Riyadiya reported that the club had written to the AFC requesting an explanation for the decision not to play the match as scheduled.

The club also submitted documents intended to support its position, including evidence that it had secured the landing permits and official approvals required to receive Al Wasl’s aircraft in Riyadh. Its submission also included the private flight number previously provided by Al Wasl before the club changed its decision to travel to the Saudi capital.

Al Nassr’s action did not end with a request for clarification. The club said it intended to pursue all available legal procedures to protect its rights and seek the match points, in coordination with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

The fixture has important implications for both sides’ hopes of reaching the knockout phase. Al Nassr are seventh in the West Region table with six points from three matches, having won twice and lost once.

Al Wasl sit 11th with three points after one victory and two defeats. The top eight clubs from the West Region qualify for the next stage, meaning Al Nassr will be looking to strengthen their position when the game is played, while Al Wasl need a positive result to revive their hopes of progressing.

Although the AFC has now fixed a date for the match, Al Nassr’s claim for the points remains active while the club’s proceedings with the relevant authorities continue.