Iranian football has seen a return to international action with Esteghlal and Tractor SC commencing their AFC Champions League Elite campaigns this week. This follows the restart of the Persian Gulf League in mid-August, almost six months after its postponement in late February and subsequent abandonment due to ongoing war.
Esteghlal, who were leading the league by two points when it stopped, believe they should be awarded the title. Head coach Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh stated, “Esteghlal should be declared the champions of the previous season.” A decision on the league title is expected soon, though other clubs reportedly oppose this.
Esteghlal began their Champions League Elite journey with an impressive 3-0 victory against Qatari team Al-Sadd. The home match was played in Basra, Iraq, a common occurrence for Iranian clubs. Tractor SC, however, lost their opening game 1-0 against Shabab Al-Ahli in Dubai.
The prolonged suspension of competition has been a significant impact of the war on Iranian football, according to Bakhtiarizadeh, who believes it will weaken the sport. He also noted the financial disparity with Saudi Arabian clubs, stating it is currently impossible for any Asian team to match their spending power.