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Sports Should Not Be Politicized

Sports Should Not Be Politicized
Sports Should Not Be Politicized

Iran advised Saudi Arabia against politicizing sports activities involving the two countries.

“Unfortunately, some Saudi authorities are trying to extend the policy of creating tensions to the field of sports, which is a wrong behavior,” Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, a deputy foreign minister, said on Sunday.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation recently asked the Asian Football Confederation that matches between the two countries’ teams take place in a third country, Press TV reported.

In making the request, the SAFF alleged that the matches could face a potential insecurity in the Islamic Republic.

Amir-Abdollahian called the excuse a “lame” one, asserting that Iran is one of the safest countries in the region.

“We insist that AFC Champions League matches take place in the Islamic Republic,” he said.

The AFC has given the two sides until March 15 to resolve the issue.

Amir-Abdollahian said Iran will communicate its readiness to safely host the games in different cities to the confederation.

“It is obvious that the games would be held on a two-leg basis in the two countries,” he said.

Financialtribune.com