Exclusive Report: Persepolis FC’s Escalating Financial Claim Highlights Post-Privatization Challenges
A Deepening Financial Dispute
A significant financial claim by Persepolis Football Club against the Ministry of Sport and Youth has become a central point of discussion, following the club’s transfer to private ownership. Recent exclusive financial documents reveal that the amount claimed by the club has now reached a substantial figure of 405 billion tomans. This claim pertains to debts incurred by the club during the period it was under the management of the Ministry of Sport, which the new private owners have since been required to settle.
The Foundation of the Claim
The roots of this financial issue are grounded in the original privatization agreement. When Persepolis FC was transferred to the private sector, a key clause stipulated that the government would remain responsible for any pre-existing debts and obligations from the era of state management. This provision was designed to ensure a clean transition and protect the new owners from legacy liabilities.
In the Iranian month of Aban 1402 (October-November 2023), club official Reza Darvish publicly stated that Persepolis was owed 102 billion tomans by the government, a claim that was reportedly confirmed by the State Audit Organization. The club has since asserted that it has paid a further 127 billion tomans of these legacy debts on the government’s behalf, for which it is now seeking reimbursement.
An Impasse in Resolution
Despite the club’s ability to reportedly substantiate its claims before the State Inspection Organization and the Planning and Budget Organization, the Ministry of Sport and Youth has yet to authorize payment. This has created a persistent impasse, with the club’s legitimate claim for reimbursement continuing to grow.
The current figure of 405 billion tomans represents a critical financial injection that could resolve a significant portion of the club’s ongoing operational and financial challenges. The ongoing situation underscores the complexities involved in the privatization of major public assets and the importance of adhering to agreed-upon financial frameworks to ensure the stability and success of such institutions in their new private form.