Rewritten Title: Persepolis FC Navigates Internal Dynamics Amidst Medical Team Restructuring
Article:
A significant restructuring of the medical team at Persepolis Football Club has become a focal point of internal discussions as the team contends with a challenging season marked by a high number of player injuries. This development highlights the complex operational dynamics within one of Iran’s premier football institutions.
A Season of Challenges
The current season has presented Persepolis with considerable difficulties, as a wave of injuries has affected no fewer than 14 players. This situation has placed immense pressure on the team’s technical staff and has drawn noticeable reactions from the club’s passionate fanbase, underscoring the high-stakes environment of top-tier football.
Overhaul of the Medical Roster
In response to these challenges, Dr. Farid Zarineh was appointed at the season’s outset to lead the club’s medical committee, with a mandate to reorganize and enhance the treatment and rehabilitation processes. Under his leadership, the committee saw the introduction of new specialists, including Dr. Alireza Hassan Gholiae as the team physician, while physiotherapists Ali Azam Meadi and Amir Sargo retained their positions.
Mid-season, the committee was further strengthened by the addition of Dr. Majid Sadeghi, a seasoned physiotherapist formerly with Tractor FC. This appointment, made at Dr. Zarineh’s request and facilitated by club CEO Reza Darvish, was described as a necessary step to bring experienced expertise to the team’s medical support structure.
Coordinating Professional Opinions
The integration of new personnel has, however, led to a divergence of professional opinions on player fitness, a common occurrence in high-performance sports environments. A notable instance involved player Jamal Lewis, where initial medical assessments were reconsidered following a different evaluation from the newly arrived physiotherapist, who believed the player was fit for duty. Team official Vahid Hashemian’s subsequent confirmation of Lewis’s medical clearance further illustrated the dynamic and sometimes differing expert views within the medical team.
Further cases involving players Reza Shokari and Milad Sarlak also demonstrated these professional deliberations. While initial assessments suggested they were ready to return to training, both players subsequently experienced aggravated injuries, which may sideline them for the upcoming match.
The Road Ahead for Persepolis
With a significant portion of the squad, including key players, currently unavailable, the technical staff faces a difficult task in maintaining competitive performance. The situation has sparked internal dialogue regarding procedural coordination and responsibility.
Dr. Zarineh has expressed concerns that certain external medical testing protocols may be unnecessarily restricting player availability, a viewpoint that has been part of the broader professional discourse within the club’s management. These internal discussions reflect the ongoing efforts to optimize all operational aspects, from medical care to tactical preparation, in pursuit of the club’s objectives. The focus remains on finding comprehensive and effective solutions to navigate this period and stabilize the team’s performance.