The 30-year-old Alekasir, who has scored four times in the last three games in the competition, received the ban after making a slant-eyed gesture to television cameras after scoring against Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor in the quarter-finals on Wednesday evening.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has banned Issa Alekasir, of Persepolis FC, from taking part in any kind of football-related activity for six months for violating Article 58.1 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code (2019 Edition). The ban will take effect immediately.

The player, who was also fined $10,000, was found to have used a discriminatory gesture during the AFC Champions League (West) game against Pakhtakor on Sept. 30, 2020 in Doha, Qatar.

Article 58.1 states that anyone who offends the dignity of a person or group of persons through contemptuous, discriminatory or denigratory words or actions concerning race, skin color, gender, disability, language, age, physical appearance, religion, political opinion, wealth, birth or any other status, sexual orientation, or ethnic, national, or social origin has committed an offence.

Persepolis takes on Al-Nassr on Saturday with the winner facing the top club from the eastern half of the draw in the final on December 19.

Alekasir’s first goal against Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor was selected by the fans as Goal of the Week following the public poll on the-AFC.com.

His goal got 75 percent of the votes.

Esteghlal’s Ali Karimi came second in the poll with 15 percent.

Al-Nassr’s Pity Martinez and Dragan Ceran of Pakhtakor came third and fourth in the poll.

After the conclusion of four thrilling Round of 16 ties, OPTA, the AFC’s official data provider, have compiled their list of candidates for the Player of the Week.

Alekasir topped the OPTA rankings for this week as the striker scored the tie’s only goal as the Tehran giant eliminated home side Al-Sadd SC following a 1-0 win on Sunday.

The 30-year-old forward, who was also nominated for the Matchday Six Player of the Week award, netted for the second time in consecutive matches and he was a constant threat up front for the Iranian side with five shots on goal, two aerials won and two duels won for his 7.7 OPTA rating.