Iran's Persepolis choose Dubai to host Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli

TEHRAN, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Iranian popular club Persepolis have chosen Dubai as the neutral venue to host Saudi Arabian team Al Ahli in the group stage of the 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League, Tehran Times daily reported on Tuesday.

The Iranian Reds are going to play Al Ahli at the Al Wasl Stadium Zabeel on April 9.

Saudi Arabia said that their teams will not come to Iran to play the Iranian teams.

The group stage is scheduled to be played from March 4 to May 22, 2019.

A total of 32 teams compete in the group stage to decide the 16 places in the knockout stage.