Ivankovic prevented from entering Iran

GOAL – TEHRAN, Saudi Arabia’s Al Ettifaq will be without manager Branko Ivankovic for their crucial Asian Champions League qualifier against Esteghlal after he was prevented from making the trip over what appears to be a politically-tinged dispute.

In apparent retaliation for similar treatment received by Esteghlal the last time they played in Saudi Arabia, Al Ettifaq members and team staff were detained upon their arrival at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International airport and fingerprinted.

Meanwhile, Ivankovic himself didn’t travel at all, reportedly because Iranian authorities are seeking unpaid taxes totalling over €200,000. The 57-year-old was previously the coach of the Iran national team, leading them to a third-place finish in the 2004 Asian Cup as well as a successful qualification for the 2006 World Cup finals.

The Iranian government attempted to replace the popular Ivankovic with a native coach before the tournament and their manoeuvres to fire him after the tournament caused Fifa to suspend the federation for political interference.

While the IFF complained to Fifa over Ivankovic’s failure to return to Iran with two months remaining in his contract, the coach filed a successful counter-complaint over unpaid bonuses of over €400,000; the IFF’s appeal is still pending in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The winner of Saturday’s match will join Qatar’s Al Rayyan, Uzbekistan’s Nasaf, and the UAE’s Al Jazira in Group A of the ACL.