Al Nassr ask AFC to register Abdulhadi Alwan and Yassine Salam for AFC Champions League Elite

Al Nassr have submitted an urgent request to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) seeking permission to register goalkeeper Abdulhadi Alwan and Tunisian defender Yassine Salam in their squad for the AFC Champions League Elite, according to Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiyah.

The club had already completed contracts for both players before last summer’s transfer window closed. Al Nassr are now awaiting AFC approval to include them in their continental squad under regulations that allow clubs to register new players, particularly those signed during the most recent transfer window.

The request comes as Al Nassr adjust their schedule following the postponement of their AFC Champions League Elite fixture against UAE club Al Wasl in the competition’s third round.

Al Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou has allowed Alwan and Salam to join the club’s Under-21 side for their match against Al Qadsiah on Monday. The fixture, part of the second round of the Youth League, will be played at Al Nassr’s stadium in Riyadh.

Salam, 19, joined Al Nassr from Tunisia last summer and was registered in the club’s youth categories. He signed a two-year contract, with the option of extending the agreement for an additional season.

Alwan, meanwhile, moved to Al Nassr on loan from Al Fateh.

The first-team squad are expected to train on Monday evening as part of a revised programme following the postponement of the Al Wasl match. The change to the schedule has altered the team’s preparations for their next domestic fixture.

Al Nassr will face Al Kholood on Thursday at Al-Awwal Park in round 12 of the Saudi league.