Title: Former Persepolis Official Addresses Club’s Recent Player Acquisition Claims
Introduction
In a recent interview, Hamid Estili, a former advisor to the CEO of the renowned Persepolis football club, provided his perspective on the club’s internal processes regarding player transfers. His statements aimed to clarify his role following the publication of a document linked to him.
Setting the Record Straight
Mr. Estili explained that his handwritten notes, which were published by the club, were merely personal memoranda. He stated, “In the technical committee meetings, I would jot down the names of players that were mentioned during discussions with managers and officials. These were essentially rough drafts for my own reference.”
He further elaborated that the club’s management had misrepresented these personal notes, leading to public misunderstanding. Estili emphasized that he was not involved in the club’s acquisition decisions, often learning of new signings only after they were finalized.
The Specific Case of Mojtaba Fakhrian
Addressing the specific claim regarding player Mojtaba Fakhrian, Estili noted that the winger’s name was one of many discussed in meetings. He clarified that he had no prior knowledge of the player and only reviewed his gameplay after being informed of his signing.
A key point of contention for Estili was why the club selectively published only certain names from his notes. He challenged the management to release the full list to demonstrate that he was simply recording discussed names, not endorsing them. He also confirmed that Fakhrian was not on the head coach’s primary list of transfer targets at the time.
Focus on Academy and Club Development
Reiterating the scope of his responsibilities, Estili highlighted that his primary focus was on the club’s academy, not first-team transfers. “My responsibility was the academy, and I was sometimes consulted on that matter. However, I was never consulted on player acquisitions,” he stated.
He concluded by shifting the discussion to long-term club health, suggesting that significant funds spent on terminating player contracts could have been better invested in the youth academy system to ensure the club’s sustainable future and maintain a balanced team roster. Estili also affirmed his commitment to the club, noting he had no financial interests in Persepolis and had even covered personal travel expenses for club-related trips.
