Regional conflict in the Middle East is impacting the ability of sporting events to take place, causing politics to creep into sports. This past week, the Saudi club Al-Ettifaq refused to travel to the Kurdistan Region to play Erbil Sports Club for their scheduled group-stage match in the Gulf Football Federation’s (GFF) Gulf Champions League on October 28, citing security concerns. The Saudi club’s request to postpone the match was rejected by both Erbil Sports Club officials and GFF officials, resulting in the Saudi club forfeiting the match.