Offensive Language from Iranian Football Officials; Ethics Committee Suspends Persepolis CEO

The Ethics Committee of the Football Federation has suspended Reza Darvish, the CEO of Persepolis Club, for 20 days from any football activities due to ethical violations and blatant breaches of ethical rules. Previously, the Disciplinary Committee had summoned Reza Darvish and Farshid Samiei, the caretaker CEO of Esteghlal, for violating Article 71 of the disciplinary regulations. On the evening of June 5, during the 'Football Better' program on the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Farshid Samiei and Reza Darvish made various accusations against each other. In this live program, Darvish insultingly attacked Samiei, suggesting he should 'surgically' alter his accent. This 'vulgar language' went without reaction from the program's host or producers, leading to criticism from media, footballers, and social media users. Former Iranian football star Ali Karimi reacted to Darvish's insult, stating on social media that having an accent means knowing another language better. Esteghlal's head coach, Javad Nekounam, expressed that the people of Gilan were hurt by the insult to their accent, emphasizing that respect and culture are acquired traits that some lack. Peyman Noori, a former defender from Gilan, stated that mocking the Gilan accent not only breaks the hearts of millions of fellow Gilan citizens but also insults all ethnicities that make up Iran. Esteghlal's striker, Arman Ramazani, remarked that maintaining respect for any part of a nation is more important than any competition or rank. Following severe criticism, Darvish issued an apology, expressing respect for all Iranian dialects, especially those of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan, while still emphasizing his criticisms of Samiei's behavior. Some sports news agencies reported that Esteghlal intends to file a complaint against Darvish to FIFA for racism. The images and statements of Darvish will be included in the complaint. Esteghlal officials believe that if the Ethics Committee does not issue a decisive ruling against Darvish, they will open a case against him at FIFA. They are waiting for Darvish to lose his position at Persepolis due to this widespread protest in Iran. In another incident, during the same program, referee Ali Arabbaragh had a verbal altercation with Esteghlal's caretaker. This dispute escalated after the caretaker referred to a letter he sent to the referees' committee regarding the non-use of certain referees for Esteghlal's matches in the final weeks of the league. Following this program, the Disciplinary Committee summoned Arabbaragh for violating Article 51 of the disciplinary regulations. In the final week of the Iranian Premier League, Persepolis won 1-0 against Mes Rafsanjan, securing the championship for the ninth time with 68 points, ahead of Esteghlal with 67 points. After it was revealed that the goal scored by Giorgi Golsyani in the 86th minute was offside, criticism of the refereeing committee intensified. Golsyani confirmed to Iranian media that Persepolis's championship goal was offside but added that the collision with the Mes goalkeeper should have been a penalty, which was not called by the referee. Due to the lack of a VAR system in Iran, controversial scenes in matches are accompanied by disputes and conflicts during and after the games. Persepolis player Vahid Amiri also confirmed the offside status of the championship goal and pointed out the lack of a VAR system and the foul scene in the 70th minute of the same match, where the Mes goalkeeper was not sent off. Experts believe that the presence of former IRGC commanders and relatives of government officials at the top of Iranian sports and club management has led to poor results for Iranian football representatives in Asian competitions, embezzlement of public funds, and cultural decline. The dismissal of several Iranian Football Federation managers followed the exposure of widespread corruption. In the final week, Persepolis became the champion of Iranian football, while Esteghlal was the runner-up. The sensitive competition between the red and blue teams for the trophy on the last day highlighted the corruption in Iranian football, with cases involving Mes Rafsanjan, referees, and corrupt managers being discussed. Political remarks from a sports reporter in Khuzestan during the Iranian Cup competitions were also noted. Saeed Fathi stated that FIFA needs to monitor football events in Iran more closely and not with leniency. The situation in Iranian sports, especially football, is dire; stadiums have become a weak point for the regime. Milika Rasouli, a karateka, donated her medal to Ali Daei. There were controversies and brawls in the Khaybar Khorramabad and Saipa match in Iran's League One. Some citizens express happiness over the Iranian national football team's losses, as explained by Payam Younesi Pour. The unveiling of 'systematic corruption in the Islamic Republic Football Federation' has begun with dismissals. Iranian athletes have shone in international competitions while Iranian sports have been suspended following the death of Raisi. The different reactions of athletes and champions to the killing of Ebrahim Raisi were noted. The head coach of Foolad Khuzestan remarked that he would be fined 800 million for killing someone, while speaking out would cost him 2 billion tomans. The series of restrictions continues; women's entry to the stadium during the Persepolis and Nassaji match was banned. The entry of female spectators to the 'Yadgar' stadium in Tabriz was also prohibited, related to the fine of Hossein Hosseini. Persepolis and Esteghlal exchanged hands; 'historical sales' benefited the regime. The repercussions of missile attacks by the Islamic Republic and Israel on the Premier League were felt, with the Spanish coach of Tractor leaving Iran. A campaign supporting Amir Nasr Azadani, a former Iranian footballer who 'bravely stood with his freedom-seeking people,' was launched. The suspect in the murder of Mehran Samak, a protestor from Bandar Anzali, was sentenced to qisas for the third time.