AFC Postpones Club Matches Amid Middle East Tensions

The Asian Football Confederation postponed several high-stakes club matches in its continental competitions on Sunday, citing security concerns in the Middle East following airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.

The decision affects first-leg knockout fixtures scheduled for early March in the West Region across the AFC Champions League Elite, AFC Champions League Two, and AFC Challenge League. No new dates have been announced, but games in the East Region, including those in Australia, South Korea, and Malaysia, will proceed as planned. The AFC, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, emphasized its commitment to the safety of all involved.

In the Champions League Elite round of 16, the postponed matches include Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates against Tractor FC of Iran in Dubai on Monday, March 2; Al Duhail of Qatar versus Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia in Doha on the same day; Al Wahda of the UAE facing Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, March 3; and Al Sadd of Qatar against Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia in Doha on March 3.

The Champions League Two quarterfinal between Al Wasl of the UAE and Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia, set for Dubai, is also delayed. Al...