Rewritten Title: Tehran Derby Venue Announcement Sparks Procedural Scrutiny
Article:
Conflicting Reports Over High-Profile Football Fixture
A wave of uncertainty has surrounded the upcoming Tehran football derby between Persepolis and Esteghlal following conflicting official statements regarding its venue. The situation has highlighted the complex logistical and administrative coordination involved in organizing major national sporting events.
Parliamentary Announcement and Federation Clarification
The controversy began when a Member of Parliament announced that the high-stakes match would be held at the Pars Stadium in Shiraz. Shortly thereafter, a spokesperson for the Football Federation provided a clarifying context, stating that the Pars Stadium was being considered as one of several potential hosting penalty venues, effectively tempering the initial declaration.
Host Club Claims Lack of Consultation
In a swift reaction, Persepolis Club, which holds the hosting rights for the match, publicly stated it had no knowledge of any meeting or decision on the matter. The club’s spokesman, Mostafa Lashkari, emphasized that no representative from Persepolis was present at the alleged session where this decision was made.
“We are completely unaware of the meeting and decision that is said to have been held to determine the host venue,” Lashkari stated. “As the host, it is natural that we should determine the venue for the match.”
Tehran Remains the Priority
Lashkari further clarified that Persepolis’s priority is to hold the match in Tehran. He assured that with sufficient time remaining before the fixture, the club would coordinate with the League Organization to officially announce the venue, with the final decision being made in consultation with the team’s technical staff.
The derby is scheduled for the twelfth week of the Persian Gulf Pro League, though a precise date has not yet been finalized. The current discussions over the venue mark a new chapter in the preparations for one of the nation’s most-watched sporting events.