Joint Statement from the CEOs of Persepolis and Esteghlal Football Clubs - 2003-06-11

The CEOs of the Persepolis and Esteghlal sports clubs issued a joint statement ahead of their teams' match in the return leg of the Premier League. According to ISNA, the full text of the statement is as follows: Once again, Azadi Stadium is the meeting place for true sports lovers and hosts the blessed presence of dedicated fans of Esteghlal and Persepolis, a day that can showcase not only a fierce competition but also a noble and sportsmanlike behavior. The large stadium of the city, after a long period of silence and many days of solitude, is preparing to welcome you sports enthusiasts, having incurred heavy expenses in its reconstruction. This match will take place in a field that is the result of the tireless efforts of Iranian specialists and hardworking personnel, and it is in this fervor that we will witness a beautiful competition, stemming from the richness of Iranian football and based on principles of sportsmanship. Dear fans, in keeping with the grandeur of this great match, you must support all coaches and players with beautiful and pleasing chants, free from any kind of controversy and, God forbid, disrespect towards the players, while fully observing ethical and human principles and avoiding any commotion, thus adding another golden page to the history of Iranian sports. Azadi Stadium is a national asset, and preserving its belongings, equipment, and facilities is the human and national duty of every spectator, and we must safeguard its sacred and valuable environment with a display of high culture. The Esteghlal and Persepolis clubs, while showing great respect and honor to all pillars of sports in the country, including spectators, officials, coaches, and players, invite all enthusiasts to transform Friday into a day of reconciliation between spectators and the stadium, demonstrating that we are still the best in the world while urging all players to always embody the ethics and virtues of a committed athlete, regardless of the outcome.