Iranian football fans have gathered to catch a glimpse of Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of an AFC Champions League clash.
Al Nassr are in Tehran to face Iranian champions Persepolis in the group stage after beating Shabab Al Ahli in the play-offs.
2
2
Ronaldo is currently one of Asian football’s stars, meaning it was no surprise to see fans fighting to get a glimpse of the 38-year-old.
This included fans chasing the Al Nassr team bus, while the Associated Press also reported that hundreds of residents stormed the Espinas Palace Hotel where the team resides while pushing the police and chanting Ronaldo’s name.
Unfortunately for these supporters, this is as close as the Portuguese superstar will get with the AFC Champions League clash set to be played behind closed doors.
Although the match will be played at the 78,000 capacity Azadi Stadium, Persepolis is serving a one-match stadium ban due to a controversial social media post.
Before their meeting with Indian club FC Goa in 2021/22, a now-deleted post mentioned Iran’s invasion of India in the 18th century in order to hype the match.
Indians were offended by the post and the All India Football Federation’s complaint led to the Asian Football Confederation issuing the sanction.
Despite the incident two years ago, this will be Persepolis’ first continental encounter after failing to qualify for the AFC Champions League last season, meaning it will be the first chance to serve the stadium ban.
