DAMAC hosted Al Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League on the 5th of March, despite the ongoing regional conflict with a full set of fixtures to follow this weekend. Since the 28th of February Iran has been attacking Saudi in retaliation to the US-Iran war.
While unusual, it is not the first time sport has carried on during conflict. Here are five other times where football went ahead despite war, crisis or political issues:
- Chile vs Soviet Union – World Cup Qualifying
In 1973 following a military coup, Chile was scheduled to host the Soviet Union in a play off for a spot at the World Cup. The Soviet Union refused to travel following the military junta mistreatment of prisoners. So the game went ahead with only the Chileans and the referees present, with the ball being kicked into an empty Soviet Union net and the game ending as a result.
2. Iran vs USA – 1998 Political Unrest
In the 1998 World Cup in France, Lyon was home to the “the most politically charged match in World Cup history”. The USA and Iran have not had diplomatic relations since the Iranian Revolution and the kidnapping of US Embassy personnel in Tehran. The Iranian players handed the US players white roses before kick off and subsequently beat the USA 2-1.
3. Ukrainian Premier League – 2022 onwards
The Ukrainian Premier League restarted while the Russia-Ukraine war was in full swing. Games have been played behind closed doors, with air raids frequently interrupting games and stadiums being surrounded by military checkpoints. The league continues to function as normal with teams still qualifying for UEFA competitions.
