Iran bans sports teams from travelling to countries it deems 'hostile'


Soccer Football - International Friendly - Iran Training - Huseyin Aygun Football Center, Antalya, Turkey - March 25, 2026 Iran players during training REUTERS/Umit Bektas

March 26 (Reuters) - ⁠Iran has banned national ⁠and club sports teams ‌from travelling to countries it considers hostile until further notice, ​Iranian media reported ⁠on Thursday citing ⁠the Sports Ministry, which said ⁠the ‌move was due to concerns ⁠over the safety of Iranian athletes.

"The ​presence ‌of national and club ⁠teams in ​countries considered hostile and unable to ensure the ⁠security of Iranian ​athletes and team members is prohibited until further notice," the ⁠ministry said.

The ministry added that the Football Federation and clubs are required ​to notify ⁠the Asian Football Confederation to ​relocate match ‌venues.

(Reporting by Enas Alashray ​and Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Mark Porter)

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