The following match with Cristiano Ronaldo won’t have any fans in attendance.

In their opening AFC Champions League group stage match, Ronaldo’s Al Nassr will face Iranian champions Persepolis after coming from behind to defeat Shabab Al Ahli in a play-off.

There is a lot of excitement for the game, especially with Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, coming to the Azadi Stadium, which holds 78,000 spectators.

As reported by AP, hundreds of Iranians rushed the Espinas Palace Hotel in Tehran, where Ronaldo and his colleagues are staying, pushing past police and swarming the hallways while screaming the name of the Portuguese superstar. Video shared on Al Nassr’s social media channels showed supporters following the team bus.

Fans will be disappointed to learn that the Champions League match will really take place behind closed doors.

The most successful team in Iran, Persepolis, must serve a one-game stadium suspension as a result of a contentious social media remark.

A now-deleted article attempted to heighten the stakes before a match with Indian team FC Goa back in the 2021/22 season. It highlighted Iran’s conquest of India in the 18th century.

The Asian Football Confederation handed down the penalty as a result of complaints from the All India Football Federation and complaints from citizens in India, according to the Daily Mail.

This was Persepolis’ first game when the ban could be applied because they weren’t participating in a continental competition previous year.

Supporters were allegedly posting comments on Goa’s postings expressing regret for the earlier remarks.

Since the two countries’ relations were cut in 2015, a Saudi team has not competed in Iran. However, after a deal mediated by China back in March, relations have improved.

The game begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, and the rematch is scheduled on November 27 in Riyadh.