Title: Persepolis Club Issues Official Statement on Player Transfer Dispute, Vows Legal Action
In a significant development within Iranian football, Tehran’s Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club has publicly addressed a contractual dispute regarding the transfer of player Mojtaba Fakhrian. The club has released an official statement outlining its position and the subsequent legal steps it has undertaken.
The Core of the Disagreement
The controversy revolves around the player’s move from Shams Azar Qazvin F.C. to Persepolis. Persepolis club officials maintained that their due diligence confirmed Fakhrian was a free agent, leading to his official unveiling on May 16, 2024. The club further stated that a formal written inquiry was registered with the Iran Football League Organization on May 25 to solidify this status.
In a move to ensure smooth relations and secure the player’s release, Persepolis also transferred 15 billion Tomans to Shams Azar. A key clause in their agreement stipulated that this entire amount would be refunded if it was legally proven that Fakhrian was indeed a free agent at the time of the transfer.
A Conflicting Claim Emerges
Shams Azar Qazvin F.C. has presented a counter-narrative, asserting that they had renewed Fakhrian’s contract for three years on June 1, 2024, registering it with the Qazvin Provincial Football Association. This claim directly challenges Persepolis’s assertion of the player’s free agent status and forms the basis of the current impasse.
Persepolis Takes Formal Action
In response to these conflicting claims and the ensuing ambiguity, Persepolis Club has taken a decisive step. A club spokesperson confirmed that to resolve the matter and facilitate the return of the 15 billion Tomans, a formal legal case has been filed with the Football Federation’s Status Committee.
“The legal follow-up of Persepolis Club is through the Status Committee,” the spokesperson stated, adding, “We are pursuing the matter through this committee until the relevant ruling is issued.” The club has emphasized that the case will remain open until a final verdict is delivered, underscoring its commitment to a transparent and procedural resolution.
This legal process is now the official channel through which both clubs will present their documented evidence, with the Football Federation’s committee tasked with delivering a binding judgment to settle the dispute.