TEHRAN – All sports competitions in Iran were canceled following a tragic chopper crash that claimed the lives of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian, and their companions.
The competitions were canceled until the end of the week by Iran’s Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.
Sunday’s crash occurred as Raisi, 63, and AmirAbdollahian were returning from a ceremony for the opening of a dam on Iran’s border with the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The new program of the competitions will be announced by the federations, the top official of the sports ministry said.

AFC President Sends 
Condolence Message

 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa sent a condolence message over the passing of Iran President Ebrahim Raisi.
 “On behalf of the Asian football family, I express my deepest condolences on the passing of President of Iran Ibrahim Raisi and the other members as well as flight crew in the tragic accident of the helicopter crash,” Al Khalifa said in the message to Head of Iran football federation Mehdi Taj.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of President Raisi and his entourage. May their souls rest in peace,” he added.