Title: Persepolis-Esteghlal Rivalry Heats Up: Club Official Calls for Respect and Focus
In the wake of a crucial Asian Champions League match, a prominent figure from Esteghlal Football Club has addressed the team’s challenges and commented on the escalating tensions with cross-town rivals, Persepolis, calling for a higher standard of conduct.
Asian Campaign Hangs in the Balance
Mehdi Pashazadeh, a former Esteghlal player, stated that the team’s path to advancement in the Asian Champions League has become significantly more difficult following a draw against Jordan’s Al-Wehdat. He pointed to the late formation of the squad and lingering issues as contributing factors. Pashazadeh highlighted the absence of suspended player Alireza Koushki as a particular setback, suggesting the team’s performance reverted to its earlier, less effective form. He firmly believes the return leg against Al-Wehdat would have had a different outcome had Koushki been available.
Strategic Direction for the Club
When questioned about whether the club’s focus should now shift to the domestic league, Pashazadeh indicated that this is a strategic decision for the club’s management and technical staff. He emphasized the value of experience in such situations, noting that decision-making would be more straightforward if seasoned sports professionals were more prominent within the club’s administration.
A Plea for Sportsmanship Over Rivalry
The official’s most pointed remarks concerned a recently published video, allegedly from Persepolis FC’s social media, which contained insults directed at Esteghlal. Pashazadeh firmly rejected such disrespectful acts.
“I reject these disrespectful actions, and it is better that whatever happens, we encourage our own team,” Pashazadeh stated. He elaborated that the publication of such a video on Persepolis’s official platform implies a premeditated intent. He made a broader appeal for integrity, saying, “I beg you, remove the ‘Cultural-Sporting’ title from the signs of the clubs. Disrespect has become common among us.”
Pashazadeh clarified that his criticism was not exclusively aimed at Persepolis, asserting that he would condemn such behavior from any club, including Esteghlal itself. He concluded that an official apology was the expected and appropriate course of action, characterizing the initial video post as a “media mischief” for which Persepolis bears responsibility.