Title: Persepolis FC Chairman Addresses Club’s Legacy, Financial Challenges, and Future Ambitions
Introduction
In a heartfelt address during the annual Persepolis FC Fan Day celebration, the club’s Chairman, Reza Darvish, delivered a comprehensive speech reflecting on the team’s storied history, its current financial standing, and the collective spirit required to secure future victories. The event, attended by loyal supporters and former players, served as a platform to honor the club’s legacy while addressing contemporary challenges.
Honoring a Rich Legacy
Mr. Darvish commenced his speech by paying tribute to the foundation of Persepolis nearly sixty years ago, acknowledging its founder, Mr. Abdo, and the first generation of players who built the club’s esteemed reputation. In a poignant moment, he memorialized a young fan, Parsa Hezarbeybi, who was recently martyred, illustrating the profound, passionate connection between the club and its supporters. Darvish echoed a sentiment from Mr. Kolani, stating, “Persepolis is not life, but it is love,” a notion embodied by the fan’s final wish to have the club’s logo engraved on his tombstone.
Navigating Financial Currents
The chairman provided a detailed overview of the club’s financial journey, noting its various phases of development both before and after the revolution. He highlighted periods when the club lacked a clear ownership structure, crediting figures like Mr. Parvin and Mahmoud Khordbin for their dedication and sacrifice in maintaining the team’s operations and leading it to national championships. Darvish outlined the transition of ownership through various entities until the club’s privatization, which was ultimately handled by a banking consortium. He emphasized that, for the first time in the club’s history, players are now free from concerns about their salaries and dues, signaling a new era of financial stability.
A Call for Unified Support
Addressing the fans directly, Darvish stated that Persepolis cannot achieve championship titles alone. He called for unity among former players and the massive fan base to work hand-in-hand to repeat past glories. He suggested that the club’s consistent success—winning seven championships in nine years—has inevitably drawn scrutiny and challenges from rivals who “cannot tolerate Persepolis having peace.” Darvish recounted significant hurdles upon his arrival, including settling a 1500-billion-rial debt to ensure the club’s operational continuity.
Modern Infrastructure and Ongoing Challenges
Contrasting past hardships with present advancements, the chairman noted the stark improvement in facilities. He recalled a time in the 1360s (1980s) when the team had to train on a snow-covered, flat field behind Davoodieh Stadium due to a lack of options. Today, he proudly announced, the club boasts three standard training pitches and the most equipped gymnasium among all league teams, representing a significant upgrade in athlete preparation. However, he concluded with a pressing issue: a final court ruling concerning a 20-billion-rial debt from interest-free loans acquired by previous club managers, which had escalated due to delays. He revealed that this had led to a recent legal attempt to seize the club’s historic trophies, a move he characterized as an affront to the club’s dignity.
