Title: Esteghlal Voices Formal Protest Over League Scheduling Decisions
In a significant development within Iranian professional football, Esteghlal Football Club has issued a formal protest regarding recent match postponements authorized by the Iranian Football League Organization, citing concerns over competitive balance.
A Contentious Postponement
The controversy stems from the League Organization’s decision to postpone the Tractor vs. Persepolis match in the Hazfi Cup, originally scheduled for late November. The postponement was granted following a request from Tractor FC, which cited a tight schedule between the cup match and an upcoming AFC Champions League fixture.
Esteghlal’s Official Stance
Esteghlal FC has publicly questioned the consistency and rationale behind this decision. The club’s media manager, Mehdi Vaezi, referenced a previous instance from the last season where the League Organization did not approve a similar postponement request from Esteghlal ahead of an Asian Champions League match.
In his statement, Vaezi highlighted the apparent discrepancy, noting the current decision was made “so that Tractor can play in Asia,” and questioned the lack of a clear explanation. He further elaborated on the club’s position, stating, “If it is not an inconvenience, please state the reason for canceling the Tractor and Persepolis match so that we may also understand.”
Broader Competitive Concerns
This protest is compounded by Esteghlal’s earlier objections regarding what they perceive as an unfair scheduling advantage for Persepolis, their arch-rivals, ahead of the upcoming Tehran derby in the 12th week of the Persian Gulf Pro League. The club’s statements suggest these scheduling decisions could impact the competitive integrity of the domestic league and cup.
The situation has brought the League Organization’s scheduling protocols into focus, and it is anticipated that the governing body will provide clarifications on these matters in the coming days.