Title: Football Official’s Remarks on Club Allegiances Spark Historical Debate
Introduction
A senior official from Esteghlal Football Club has ignited a lively discussion within Iran’s sports community by attributing the media popularity of their rival, Persepolis, to historical political allegiances rather than sporting merit. The comments have drawn a sharp and historically-grounded rebuttal from a prominent footballing family.
The Provocative Claim
Ali Tajernia, the acting Managing Director of Esteghlal FC, commented on the media landscape surrounding Iranian football. He suggested that the disproportionate television coverage dedicated to Persepolis stems from the ideological leanings of a past generation.
“In television, the gaze is more toward Persepolis because the generation of that era had a political and ideological view more than a technical one, and for this reason, they became Persepolis fans,” Tajernia stated. “Otherwise, who would abandon the classy Esteghlal and become a fan of the rival team?”
A Historical Rebuttal
The remarks prompted a swift response from Ali Behzadi, the son of the late Homayoun Behzadi, a legendary Iranian footballer known as the “Golden Head of Iranian Football.” In a detailed Instagram post, Behzadi countered Tajernia’s narrative with a history lesson.
Addressing Tajernia directly, Behzadi wrote, “I usually do not enter the political games that many use to attain positions in the future. But it would not hurt to take a look at the history of football.”
He explained that before Persepolis, there was the Shahin club, whose fans had no political affiliations. Following Shahin’s dissolution, his father helped establish Persepolis, and it was the former Shahin supporters who naturally became the core of the new club’s fanbase.
“Everyone was waiting to see which team the Shahin players would go to,” Behzadi noted, emphasizing the organic, sports-driven origins of the club’s support. He concluded by advising Tajernia to “study and express the history of football more accurately.”
A Broader Conversation
This exchange highlights how discussions of football in Iran often extend beyond the pitch, touching on themes of history, identity, and legacy. While centered on club loyalties, the dialogue remains firmly within the realm of sports history and its interpretation, reflecting the deep passion that characterizes Iranian football fandom.