Evacuation effort includes former Real Madrid, Barcelona stars as Iran soccer league suspended
In the wake of the U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran, foreign soccer players in the Middle Eastern nation are now trying to leave, or have already departed.
Iranian soccer is once more feeling the impact of military operations in the region. Israel’s “Lion’s Roar” offensive, launched early Saturday, coupled with the United States’ “Epic Fury” operation, has again disrupted the sporting calendar - just as it did at the start of the league season this past summer.
This time, today’s Persian Gulf Pro League matchday was suspended just hours before kickoff. And as AS has learned, the decision has directly affected several Spanish professionals. For Persepolis, Cádiz-born fitness coach Pepe Losada and goalkeeping coach Emilio Álvarez were scheduled for a game in Isfahan. They had flown there on Friday, arriving to find the airport completely deserted. By Saturday, they were forced to return to Tehran by bus after Iran’s airspace was fully shut down.
Ex-Barça star stuck at airport
Munir El Haddadi, a former Barcelona forward now playing for Esteghlal, had to deboard a plane in Tehran on Saturday morning as the attacks began. The Spanish-Moroccan player remains at the airport, with the club doing everything possible to help him leave the country. The most likely escape route is by land toward Turkey. The distance from Tehran to the main Turkish border crossing at Bazargan is roughly 1,300 to 1,500 miles.
Former Madrid keeper flies out
Other Spanish players in the country, such as former Real Madrid, Real Betis and Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Antonio Adán, have been a bit more fortunate. Adán, also at Esteghlal, was among the first able to catch a flight out of Iran before the nation’s airspace was closed.
Spain’s embassy has already reached out to its citizens in Iran - around 150 people across various sectors - urging them to maintain constant communication.
In the case of Losada and Álvarez, officials have asked them to report immediately upon their arrival in Tehran so an evacuation plan can be prepared if needed. Any such operation would not take place for at least three or four days, depending on how the situation in the country evolves.
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