Esteghlal players ‘not fingerprinted’ in Jeddah

PTV – JEDDAH, Iranian soccer club Esteqlal has denied reports that its players underwent fingerprinting upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia for an AFC Champions League match.

“Despite claims by some internet sites, Esteqlal’s players were not fingerprinted,” the club said in a Sunday statement posted on its website.

“Nonetheless, they had to wait for about two hours in Jeddah airport for their visas to be granted,” the statement added.

Esteqlal will play its first match in the 2010 AFC Champions League against Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli on Tuesday. The group also includes Qatar’s Al Gharafa and the UAE’s Al Jazira.