Al-Ettifaq says it cannot travel to face Erbil after federation rejects postponement

Al-Ettifaq has said its delegation cannot reach Iraqi club Erbil for Wednesday's Gulf Champions League match after the Gulf Football Federation refused to postpone it.

• Al-Ettifaq issued a statement Tuesday renewing its request to postpone the match, scheduled for Wednesday in the competition's group stage.
• The club said the Gulf Football Federation rejected the postponement request and kept the original match date.
• Ettifaq confirmed its delegation cannot be in Erbil for the match and urged the federation to reconsider its decision under applicable procedures.
• The club intends not to travel and expects to forfeit the match 0-3 with a financial fine, without exclusion from the tournament, club officials said.