Al Nassr AFC Champions League match delayed due to security concerns in Riyadh

The AFC Champions League Matchday 2 fixture between Al Nassr and Neftchi faced a significant delay on Tuesday following a security alert issued in Riyadh. Just 15 minutes before the scheduled kickoff, Saudi authorities triggered an emergency warning, forcing both squads and the officiating team to wait inside the stadium tunnel at Al-Awwal Park.

Security alert in Riyadh

The disruption occurred as reports emerged of explosions in the city, with some sources linking the security situation to an attack at King Khalid International Airport. The National Early Warning Platform issued an official alert at 8:00 p.m. local time, advising residents to remain cautious as officials assessed the unfolding situation.

After an hour of uncertainty, the Asian Football Confederation confirmed that the match would proceed at 9:15 p.m. The players returned to the pitch for a brief warmup session before the game officially commenced, one hour behind the original schedule.