The Asian Football Confederation has set a new date for the previously postponed AFC Champions League Elite league-stage third-round match between Al-Nassr and Al-Wasl in Riyadh, a decision that affects both clubs' push for qualification from the West group.
AFC announces rescheduled date and venue
The Asian Football Confederation has moved to settle the controversy over the fate of the postponed clash between Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr and the UAE's Al-Wasl by officially announcing a new date for the fixture to be held.
The Asian Football Confederation has set Sunday 27 December as the new date for the Al-Nassr v Al-Wasl fixture at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, with kick-off at seven o'clock in the evening.
The rescheduled December fixture between Al-Nassr and Al-Wasl carries competitive weight because Al-Nassr need fresh points to strengthen their push for qualification.
Al-Wasl are chasing a result in the rescheduled fixture to revive their hopes of reaching the next stage of the AFC Champions League Elite.
Original match postponed after Al-Wasl travel issues
Arriyadiyah newspaper reported that Al-Nassr and Al-Wasl had originally been due to meet on Monday 26 October.
The earlier postponement of the Al-Nassr v Al-Wasl match came after Al-Wasl were unable to travel to Riyadh to play the match on its original date, amid reports of difficulties over the team's travel arrangements to the Kingdom.
The decision to postpone the Al-Nassr v Al-Wasl match sparked angry reactions in Saudi sporting circles, especially as the game was due to be played on Al-Nassr's ground.
Al-Nassr and Saudi federation underline hosting readiness
Al-Nassr had been preparing to host Al-Wasl and, according to their officials, denied that any obstacles existed.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation issued a statement confirming that all conditions and arrangements had been put in place to receive the Al-Wasl delegation as normal.
In its statement, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation pointed to the readiness of the Saudi side to host the match and the absence of anything that would have prevented the Emirati team from arriving and playing on the set date.
Al-Nassr's letter to AFC and ongoing claim for points
Al-Nassr launched official steps to establish exactly why the match had been called off.
Arriyadiyah newspaper reported that Al-Nassr wrote to the Asian Football Confederation demanding clarification of the reasons behind the decision not to hold the match on its date and providing documents to support their position on the arrangements for receiving the Emirati delegation.
According to Arriyadiyah newspaper, the documents attached to Al-Nassr's letter to the Asian Football Confederation included proof that the club had obtained the landing permits and official approvals required to receive Al-Wasl's plane in Riyadh.
Arriyadiyah newspaper added that the file attached to Al-Nassr's letter also included the flight number of the private plane Al-Wasl had previously sent before changing their decision about travelling to the Saudi capital.
GOAL reported that Al-Nassr intend to pursue legal procedures to protect their rights and claim the points from the match, in coordination with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
Although the new date for the Al-Nassr v Al-Wasl match is now fixed, Al-Nassr's claim for the points remains live, pending the outcome of the procedures they have begun before the relevant authorities.
West group standings and race for knockout spots
Al-Nassr are seventh in the West group of the AFC Champions League Elite with 6 points, having won twice and lost once.
Al-Wasl are eleventh in the West group of the AFC Champions League Elite on 3 points, with one win and two defeats.
The race for the eight knockout places allocated to the West clubs in the AFC Champions League Elite is described as heating up.
