Al Nassr begins formal challenge over postponed Al Wasl clash

Al Nassr have formally approached the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over the postponement of their AFC Champions League Elite match against Al Wasl.

The fixture, scheduled as the third game in the league stage, was postponed last week after Al Wasl were unable to travel to Saudi Arabia.

The decision caused anger within Saudi football, with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation issuing a statement to say that all arrangements had been made for the UAE club’s delegation to arrive and be received normally.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, Al Nassr have now sent a letter to the AFC asking for an explanation of the circumstances that led to the postponement.

The Saudi club included documents it says demonstrate that the required landing permissions and official approvals had been secured to allow Al Wasl’s arrival.

Al Nassr also enclosed the private aircraft’s flight number, which had been provided by Al Wasl before the UAE club changed its decision about travelling to Riyadh.

The club intends to continue with all available legal procedures to protect its rights and seek to be awarded the points from the match. It will do so in coordination with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

The postponed game has not been removed from Al Nassr’s campaign. The two sides are still due to meet, but the fixture has yet to be played following the travel dispute.

Al Nassr currently sit seventh in the West Region group of the AFC Champions League Elite with six points from three matches. Their record is two victories and one defeat, with the rearranged fixture against Al Wasl still outstanding.