Indians report unhappy Persepolis to AFC over ‘invasion’ post on social media

April 16 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has lodged a complaint with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) against the Iranian club Persepolis for their social media behaviour, which the Indians called “unjustified aggression”.

The Iranian champions are in Goa to compete in the Asian Champions League. The AFC designated Goa as the hub for Group E matches, but even before the Iranians set foot in India they had complained because the AIFF had not obtained a landing slot for the team. However, it’s Persepolis’ social media posts that invoked the real ire of the Indian hosts.

A post compared the Asian Champions League campaign with the invasion of India by a Persian emperor in the 18th century. Persepolis later apologised and deleted the post.

“The AIFF wishes to denounce the improper conduct of Persepolis FC, the representative team from the Islamic Republic of Iran, before the ACL and more specifically before travelling to India,” wrote the AIFF in a letter to the AFC.

“The Club put up certain posts on its official website and/or social media which has caused a massive uproar in the media and has hurt the sentiments of Indian people at large.

“The posts showed unjustified aggression against the AIFF and Indian people at large, which is totally outside of any sports ethics. While this rather poor behaviour clearly showcases their inability to participate in football events of such high calibre, AIFF strongly condemns it and requests that proper action is taken by the AFC against the Club.”

Since their arrival in Goa, Persepolis have also complained about a lack of training facilities and delayed test results of Covid-19.

The AIFF believes that articles 50 and 58 of the AFC Disciplinary Ethics Code have been breached and has asked the AFC to investigate.

Persepolis defeated Al Wahda 1-0 in their curtain raiser while debutants and hosts FC Goa drew 0-0 with Al Rayyan.

Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1711622664labto1711622664ofdlr1711622664owedi1711622664sni@o1711622664fni1711622664

 


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