The conflict between Iran and Israel affects football: Cristiano’s team refuses to travel
LWar is always a misfortune for everyone involved. Its consequences go far beyond sport and affect the most important thing, such as people’s lives. However, we must also expose the problems that conflict entails in other aspects and, in this case, football could go badly.
The tension in the Middle East has reached one of its highest points after Iran’s bombing of Israel and the latter’s threat to respond severely to the attack. The rest of the countries on the planet warn, but the parties involved do not seem to listen to reason. Beyond the fatal global consequences that an escalation in military offensives on both sides would have, There is great uncertainty about what could happen in sport in the coming weeks.
For now, I had planned a game on October 1 corresponding to the First Division of Israel between Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Haifa that has been postponed due to recent events. The next day there are seven confrontations between Saturday and Sunday about which nothing has been communicated yet.
The Israeli Football Federation has limited itself to acting normally and publish the list of footballers summoned for the next commitments of their selection. The national team will play against France and Italy in the Nations League, although the match against the Gauls will be played in Budapest.
Al Nassr plays the Asian Champions League in Tehran
One of those affected could be Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, who has a match against Esteghlal on October 22corresponding to the third day of the Asian Champions League. A meeting that would be held in TehranIranian capital.
According to MARCA, the Arab team is refusing to move there. Considering the threats from Israel, it could be one of the most dangerous cities in the area and they do not want to put its safety at risk.
Normality on the part of Iran
Meanwhile, the Iranians are unfazed in terms of football and their clubs have not been affected at all by the war. Matches continue to be held in their stadiums and competitions continue to be played as normal. In fact, Several Asian Champions and Asian Champions 2 clashes have recently taken place.
Image of the Sepehán match, in which the missiles launched at Israel were seen.
Persepolis, a team also located in Tehran, played last Monday in its stadium against the Uzbek Pajtakor. Just like him Sepahanwho played on Tuesday in Isfahan. During the clash, missiles launched towards Israel could be seen in the sky, without interrupting the game.
From the Iranian Federation they want to remain calm and continue as if nothing was happening. In factthe national team will also have matches these days, with Iran-Qatar scheduled for October 15. As for the country’s First Division, it returns to action tomorrow, Friday, and no changes or cancellations have been announced. However, seeing Al Nassr’s reaction, It does not seem that football will be able to remain untouched by the war.
