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Iran's Persepolis to play in empty stadium

Kuala Lumpur - Iran's Persepolis will play Qatar's Lekhwiya in an empty stadium owing to a repeat of fan misconduct, the Asian football's governing body said Wednesday.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said the Champions League match will be played on May 23 at Azadi Stadium in Tehran.

The AFC punished Persepolis after fans lit a flare during a match against United Arab Emirates's Al Wahda on May 8.

"Persepolis supporters lit a flare in the 88th minute of the match, putting safety in the stadium at risk," the AFC said via a statement.

In 2015, following three spectator related incidents, the AFC fined Persepolis and ordered the club to play a match in an empty stadium if there were any new incidents of fan misconduct within two years.

"As the current breach occurred within the probationary period, the order to play one match with a full stadium closure automatically comes into effect," AFC said.

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