The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced the postponement of the Round of 16 matches in the AFC Champions League (West Region) due to the current unstable security situation in the Middle East, marked by escalating attacks involving the United States and Israel against Iran.
In an official statement, the AFC confirmed that matches originally scheduled for March 2 and March 3 will be rescheduled to a later date, prioritizing the safety and well-being of players, teams, officials, and supporters.
The postponement also affects fixtures in AFC Champions League 2 and the AFC Challenge Cup within the same West Region.
“We are closely monitoring the developments of this sensitive situation and are giving priority to ensuring the safety of all players, teams, officials, and fans,” the AFC said in its statement.
The decision reflects growing concerns among football authorities about regional security, as several Middle Eastern football associations have already taken precautionary measures. National leagues in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Lebanon have temporarily halted their domestic competitions in response to the repercussions of the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The AFC did not provide new dates for the rescheduled matches, but stressed that revised fixtures will be announced once there is greater clarity on the security context and conditions allow for safe competition.
Clubs and supporters in the affected region will be waiting for further announcements from the AFC as the situation continues to evolve.
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