Rewritten Title: Internal Dynamics and Medical Overhaul at Persepolis FC Create Waves in Tehran’s Premier Club
Article:
A significant restructuring of the medical team at Persepolis Football Club has become a central talking point in Iranian sports, highlighting the complex internal dynamics and management challenges at one of the country’s most prominent institutions.
A Season Plagued by Injuries
The current season has presented Persepolis with substantial challenges, primarily due to a widespread injury crisis. Reports indicate that as many as 14 players have been sidelined, placing immense pressure on the technical staff and drawing concern from the club’s vast fanbase.
A New Medical Regime Takes Charge
In response to the mounting issues, Dr. Farid Zarineh was appointed at the season’s outset to lead the club’s medical committee. His mandate was clear: to reorganize and stabilize the team’s treatment and medical department. Dr. Zarineh promptly initiated changes, bringing in new specialists while retaining some existing staff, including team physician Dr. Alireza Haghighi and physiotherapists Ali Azam Maadi and Amir Sargo.
The restructuring continued mid-season with the high-profile addition of Dr. Majid Sadeghi, a former physiotherapist with Tractor FC. This move, formally requested by Dr. Zarineh and endorsed by club CEO Reza Darvish, was described as essential to bringing experienced expertise to the team’s core medical staff.
Internal Friction and Conflicting Diagnoses
However, the arrival of Dr. Sadeghi has reportedly introduced fresh complexities and disagreements within the medical team. A notable point of contention arose concerning the fitness of player Jamal Lewis. While Dr. Zarineh reportedly rejected the initial medical test results, the new physiotherapist held a differing opinion, asserting the player was fit for duty. This divergence was further highlighted when team official Vahid Hashemian publicly confirmed Lewis’s medical clearance, exposing a lack of consensus.
Further incidents have fueled the narrative of internal discord. Disagreements over the readiness of players Reza Shokari and Milad Sarlak led to their return to training, only for their injuries to be aggravated shortly thereafter. Both players are now expected to miss the upcoming match, adding to the club’s lengthy injury list.
Mounting Pressure and Unanswered Questions
The list of unavailable players continues to grow, featuring key names such as Serge Owusu, Omid Alishah, Hossein Kanaani, T-Beau Fouma, and Mohammad Omari. This situation has complicated the technical staff’s efforts to field a competitive team.
The question of accountability for these medical setbacks remains open. Dr. Zarineh has reportedly had disagreements with the club’s management over various cases, while the introduction of Dr. Sadeghi has created tensions among both managers and technical staff. Dr. Zarineh has also questioned the protocols of external medical testing bodies, suggesting they unnecessarily prevent player participation—a view not universally shared within his own department.
Beyond the Medical Room
While the medical team’s restructuring and its ensuing controversies dominate the headlines, some observers suggest the core issues affecting Persepolis’s performance may extend beyond the treatment room. As with previous seasons where various operational challenges were cited, the current medical situation may be a symptom of broader organizational dynamics that the club must address with a comprehensive and precise strategy to regain its consistent form.