Ali Tajernia, the acting CEO of Esteghlal, in response to the official correspondence of Tractor Club with the immigration police, raised criticisms regarding the situation of controversies in Iranian football. Just a few hours before the crucial match between Tractor and Esteghlal, Tractor Club announced that the work permits of Esteghlal's foreign players had expired and demanded action against them.
Controversies in Iranian Football
Tractor Club believes that Esteghlal's foreign players are playing without legal permits and this issue needs to be pursued. Ali Tajernia stated: "One of the serious problems in our football is that controversies have severely overshadowed the substance." He referred to another incident in football and mentioned that a letter sent to Yasser Asani a few days before the matches is an example of misconduct in football.
Tajernia's Personal Experience from Tabriz
Tajernia, referring to his experience of living in Tabriz, said: "I have personally had the honor of completing my general dentistry course in the city of Tabriz and have a good understanding of the people of Azerbaijan." He pointed out the historical and cultural significance of Tractor Club and the hospitality of the people of Azerbaijan, stating that the recent behaviors of Tractor Club's management do not align with this culture. According to him, such behaviors only lead to controversies and disrupt the focus of the rival team.
Tajernia further discussed the importance of focus and the morale of players in such critical matches and emphasized that controversies can have a negative impact on the performance of teams. He also referenced a famous couplet from Azerbaijani poets that highlights the hospitality of the people of this region: "It is the city of Tabriz, where the soul sacrifices for the beloved - The eyeliner of the eye is made from the dust of the guest's shoes."
This reaction from Tajernia to Tractor's correspondence could be a sign of the tense atmosphere in Iranian football, where controversies sometimes overshadow the substance. He pointed out that such behaviors have no place in the culture of football and urged all clubs to help advance the country's football by respecting each other.
