Ali Khatir, a member of the Football Federation's board, spoke about the awarding of the Premier League championship trophy to Esteghlal during the funeral ceremony of Hamid Alidoosti, and urged the club's managers to use their lobbying efforts and contact him.
The issue of awarding the championship trophy not discussed
Khatir stated that the issue of awarding the championship trophy to Esteghlal has never been discussed in the board, emphasizing: "If this topic comes up, I will definitely agree." He continued: "Perhaps my statement is emotional, but I express my agreement regarding the awarding of the championship trophy to Esteghlal."
Read more: Alireza Zakani: Appreciation for Iran's wrestling champions after the World Championships
Complaints about Esteghlal's managers
Ali Khatir further added: "I don't know why Esteghlal's managers did not use lobbying and did not talk to me. Mr. Hadadi contacted me several times to hold a three-way tournament, but Esteghlal's managers did not take any action in this regard." These remarks indicate Khatir's dissatisfaction with the lack of interaction from Esteghlal's managers with the Football Federation.
In another part of his remarks, Ali Khatir referred to Saket Elhami, the coach of another team, and said: "Saket Elhami got emotional and claimed that I leaked the lineup. At that time, Esteghlal's lineup was fixed, and everyone knew which players were present." This issue reflects the existing tensions in Iranian football and the need for more effective communication between coaches and officials.
However, Ali Khatir's statements could pave the way for a reconsideration of how the federation interacts with clubs and may encourage club managers, especially Esteghlal, to make better use of available opportunities in the future.
Consequences and future outlook
As Iranian football faces many challenges, awarding the championship trophy to major clubs can serve as a motivational and strengthening factor for teams. However, there is a need for effective interaction and cooperation between clubs and the Football Federation to achieve these goals. This interaction not only helps improve the conditions of Iranian football but can also lead to increased popularity and support for the sport at both national and international levels.
Ultimately, by expressing his agreement to award the championship trophy to Esteghlal, Ali Khatir once again emphasized the importance of inter-organizational communications and the need for more collaborations. It is hoped that these statements will lay the groundwork for positive changes in Iranian football.
Read more: Congratulations from the Mayor of Tehran to Amirhossein Zarei, World Champion · The holding of Iran's Football Cup with the postponement of the Asian Cup has been confirmed
