Saudi Arabian clubs will be allowed to travel to Iran to play their matches in the Asian Champions League. The agreement reached between Tehran and Riyadh is seen as a historic move between the two countries, after the interruption of diplomatic relations in 2016.

Iran and Saudi Arabia reach an agreement, which has been described as historic, as Tehran will allow Saudi clubs to travel to Iran, to play matches with Iranian teams, on behalf of the Asian Champions League.

Tehran and Riyadh have reached a “groundbreaking” agreement to resume home and away soccer matches between club teams after seven years of competing in neutral venues, the Asian Football Confederation announced.

The move by the two countries’ football federations would contribute to “strengthening closer ties between their respective football communities, allowing clubs to host matches on their home turf and visit their respective stadiums abroad, creating a more engaging and exciting experience for fans and players, said the statement from the highest institution representing football in Asia.

Saudi first league clubs will travel to Iran to play in the Asian Champions League matches.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nasser will thus kick off their Asian Champions League campaign at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on September 19 against Persepolis, while Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad will also travel to Iran during the group stage of the competition.

Matches had been played on neutral ground since 2016 because strained diplomatic relations between the two countries meant Saudi nationals were not allowed to travel to Iran.

Saudi Arabia and Iran cut ties after Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran were attacked during protests over Riyadh’s execution of Shiite figure Nimr al-Nimr.

Last month, Iran’s top diplomat preached unity and dialogue during his first visit to Saudi Arabia since the surprise rapprochement was announced, saying bilateral ties were progressing in the right direction.