TEHRAN – The first leg of the 2018 AFC Champions League final between Kashima Antlers of Japan and Iran’s Persepolis was briefly suspended at the Kashima Stadium after an Iranian pitch invader ran onto the field on Saturday.

CCTV footage shows a man walking onto the pith with a flag in hand representing a political message while the stewards deliberately ignoring him.

FIFA’s disciplinary code prohibits “political slogans in any form” with “anyone who provokes the general public during a match” facing fine
The Japanese side will be penalized if they are found in breach of FIFA’s rules on allowing the pitch invader in the Saturday’s match in Ibaraki.

Kashima Antlers defeated Persepolis 2-0, thanks to goals from Brazilians Leo Silva and Serginho.

In return, Persepolis will host the Japanese outfit in Tehran’s 80,000-seater Azadi Stadium on November 10.