90 Thousand Dollar Fine Imposed on Three Iranian Clubs by the Asian Football Confederation

The Disciplinary Committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has fined three teams, Esteghlal, Persepolis, and Zob Ahan, over 90 thousand dollars due to violations by them and their supporters. Esteghlal Tehran has been fined a total of 25 thousand dollars for violating match organization rules and overcrowding during a match against Al Ain of the UAE. Esteghlal is also required to pay 10 thousand dollars for violations related to the use of incendiary materials by its fans during a match against Al Rayyan of Qatar. Additionally, the club has been fined 15 thousand dollars for the throwing of explosives onto the field by its supporters during a match against Zob Ahan Isfahan. If Esteghlal does not appeal this ruling from the AFC Disciplinary Committee, the amount will be deducted from the team's bonuses. Persepolis has been fined 24 thousand and 500 dollars for not numbering all the seats in the stadium and selling tickets with conflicting seat numbers, as well as for violating safety and security regulations by blocking public passageways during two matches against Al Jazeera of the UAE. Furthermore, Persepolis has incurred a two thousand dollar fine for incorrect information on tickets in one of its home games against Al Sadd of Qatar, bringing its total to 26 thousand and 500 dollars owed to the AFC Disciplinary Committee. Zob Ahan Isfahan has also been fined 15 thousand dollars for throwing fireworks onto the field in the match against Esteghlal in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League. Previously, throwing grenades and other objects onto the field, using lasers, and displaying political slogans by some spectators in international matches have led to heavy fines. The latest disciplinary rulings from this committee were announced at the end of the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League, and all three teams have one month to appeal. However, it has been reported that based on the evidence from the Disciplinary Committee, the appeals from these clubs will be 'fruitless.' According to the rulings of the AFC Disciplinary Committee, Esteghlal, Persepolis, and Zob Ahan have 30 days from the time they are informed of the committee's decision to make the payment. If the fines are not paid within this period, they will be deducted from the bonuses awarded by the AFC to the teams. As reported by Iranian news agencies, if violations occur again, the clubs will face harsher penalties.