Asgharkhani commented on the physical and regrettable altercation during the match between the youth teams of Esteghlal and Shahin: "I watched the videos released from the match, and it is clear that the altercation was initiated by the Shahin players, and the Esteghlal players reacted. Even in the released images, it can be seen that the coaches of the Shahin team also got involved in the conflict."
The Culture of Shouting on the Sidelines
He continued: "In such incidents, we cannot solely blame the players. The youth players are around 15 or 16 years old, and it is natural for them to be influenced by the match conditions, but coaches and families must be able to control the situation."
The manager of Esteghlal Academy's football schools spoke about Hamid Vaez, the head coach of the youth team of this club, saying: "I know Hamid Vaez, and I have always seen that he prioritizes ethics in his work and the coaching staff. Therefore, when I saw the footage of this incident, I was truly surprised."
The Role of Coaches and Families in Tensions
Asgharkhani criticized the conditions of youth competitions, stating: "Unfortunately, our youth football has gone in a direction where shouting on the sidelines has become a culture. Families also coach from the stands and increase the tension of the match with their protests. When a youth player sees this environment, he thinks such behavior is part of football."
He emphasized: "Even in Tehran, there is a mindset that if a coach does not shout, the referee will take advantage of him; while this is not true. The referee may make mistakes, but we must allow him to do his job, and if there is a complaint, it should be pursued through legal channels."
Asgharkhani warned about the future of youth football: "If we continue on this path, our youth football will become weaker year by year. I really get headaches when I go to watch some youth matches. Previously, people enjoyed watching youth football, but today there is shouting from the stands, coaches are protesting, and players on the field are playing with shouts."
He added: "In youth categories, results should not be the top priority. We must focus on ethics; ethics, ethics, and more ethics. A player must learn to respect the opponent and the referee and control himself in difficult situations."
The manager of Esteghlal Academy's football schools pointed out the pressure present in youth competitions, saying: "If this situation continues, in seven, eight, or ten years, many youth coaches in Tehran will face physical problems. This level of pressure and shouting is not normal for youth football."
He concluded: "We are all responsible in this situation; coaches, families, and even players. If youth football is to shape the future of football in Iran, we must start working on ethics and proper education from today."
