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. The U.S. and Israel’s attack on Iran - which has led to retaliatory strikes across the Middle East by Iranian forces - has halted a league season that was last summer disrupted by the Twelve-Day War.
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.
Employed by the Tehran-based club Persepolis, the 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 the capital 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 Tehran club Esteghlal, had to deboard a plane in the city 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.
Related stories
Iran attack aimed at "eliminating imminent threats" - Trump
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.