Tensions in the Persian Gulf bring sport to a standstill

Rising tensions in the Persian Gulf, following an escalation of the conflict in Iran after U.S. and Israeli strikes on the Iranian regime and subsequent reprisals in countries across the region, including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait, have left sport in limbo. Competitions are on hold.

Iran’s domestic league has been suspended indefinitely, as the country’s football federation announced just hours after the attacks. For now, there is relative calm in other countries in the region, although airspace remains closed. In Saudi Arabia, there have been no incidents to date and part of the latest round of fixtures was played without issue. For example, Al Nassr, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix, won and returned to the top of the table.

Qatar cancels matches

The situation is different in Qatar, where Saturday’s two scheduled matches were postponed. There is still no confirmation on when competition will resume. Among the affected teams is Al Arabi, which has several Spanish players on its roster, including Rodri Sánchez, Pablo Sarabia and Simo Keddari, and is coached by Cosmin Contra. The league has games scheduled for Thursday, though their status remains uncertain.

The heightened tensions have also led to the suspension of the AFC Champions League Round of 16. That includes Elite 1 competition, featuring Saudi clubs Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad, as well as Elite 2, where Al Nassr is competing. Matches scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates or Qatar, and those involving Iran’s Tractor, have been called off, with no confirmed rescheduling dates.

The following matches have been canceled: Al Ahli Dubai vs. Tractor; Al Duhail vs. Al Ahli; Al Wahda vs. Al Ittihad; and Al Sadd vs. Al Hilal.

There is also growing uncertainty over the Finalissima, scheduled to be played in Qatar on March 27 between Argentina and Spain. As previously reported by this newspaper, the Spanish and Argentine federations had already begun reviewing the signed contract and assessing insurance clauses that typically accompany agreements of this nature in the event of cancellation.

It remains early, but alternatives are already being explored as the situation grows more complicated. The agreement signed with Qatar to host the two matches, against Argentina and Egypt, was financially significant. However, security considerations will ultimately determine the outcome. FIFA has echoed that message. “It is too early to comment, but FIFA is monitoring all situations around the world and hopes that, in the end, teams and fans will not encounter any problems,” said Mattias Grafström, the organization’s secretary general, at an IFAB press conference in Wales.

Basketball has also been affected. The EuroLeague announced the suspension of Tuesday’s game between Hapoel and Paris in Tel Aviv.

Scotland’s league leaders plans thrown into doubt

Heart of Midlothian, currently leading the Scottish Premiership, had planned a warm-weather training trip to Dubai, scheduled for early March as part of preparations for their title push under manager Derek McInnes. That has been thrown into doubt amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The Edinburgh club had arranged a five-day training camp in the United Arab Emirates capital to take advantage of a free week in the calendar, but with airspace closures, flight cancellations and warnings to British nationals as regional hostilities intensified, the trip now looks likely to be canceled or postponed, prompting Hearts to instead train as normal in Edinburgh this week.

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