Tag: Masoud Shojae

Now is not the time for silence!

 

The announcement of the ban of the two national team players led to widespread negative reactions. FIFA spokesman has requested an explanation about the incident and if the FFIRI is adhering to the principle of the independence of the federation from Iranian authorities. It apparent that FIFA requires a quick and clear response from the Mehdi Taj.

According to ISNA, after the Panionios Greek club was grouped with a Zionist regime in the European League playoffs, the club announced in a statement that Masoud Shojaei and Ehsan HajSafy would not be used for the game in Tel Aviv, in respect to their beliefs. But the Greek club declared that the two Iranian players are needed in the return match due to the defeat in the away game and placed them in the starting lineup. Both the Iranian players came out to the pitch with wristbands in the shape of Iranian flag.

After that, the debate about the future of the two players intensified, until the Football Federation and the Ministry of Sports condemned the incident. They both announced that “soon a review their situation with the presence of the two players will be conducted”. In fact, the federation and the ministry of sport tried to enforce the statute of the football federation and, on the other hand, refused to take a hasty decision to make the situation worse.

A few days later, Ali Motahari, the vice chairman of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, condemned the presence of these two players against the Zionist regime, saying that Shojaei and Hajj Safi could apologize to the people and promise that such an affair would no longer be repeated to close this subject.

However and unexpectedly,  the relative calm situation that was prevailing was suddenly shattered with the interview that was given by the deputy minister of sports. “The two players have crossed the red line and hence are banned from playing with the national team.” Such types of statements have put Iranian football in a serious challenge and jeopardy.

The problem that could have been resolved by keeping it under discreet internal discussion,  was soon taken blown over and became a topic in world media and well outside our borders. Serious questions are being asked. Is the Iranian Football Federation Independent? Is there chronic government interference in football affairs in Iran? Is this ban of the two footballers consistent with football rules and regulations as sanctioned by FIFA? Does Iran want to be part of FIFA and play up to the rule or face sanctions like many other nations for such political interference?

Now that the national team has done the difficult part and qualified the World Cup and Persepolis is in the Asian Champions League quarter-finals with a good chance of winning the title, the repeat of history and the possibility of a football suspension can be very unpleasant affair. As of now in the football federation, from “Taj” to “Saket” and  the members of the board of directors of the FFIRI, know that FIFA is demanding an answer, however it is not clear what the federation and its officials are doing these days, maintaining absolute silence in this frenzy, and providing no explanations or answers. Neither to public opinion nor to the official football institutions!!

These days, an official statement from the officials of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) may be that water required for the fire of those with hateful intentions for the national interests of Iran.

The football federation has done well by maintaining silence up to date, but anything more than that “silence” is not acceptable. Taj and his directors should take a position soon in fact, very soon. It should be announced that the Football Federation is an independent body and no football events have taken place without its decision and administration, and it will not allow it to be manipulated by those who have ill-intention and malice for the national interests of Iran

Masoud Shojae to join Panionios FC

Team Melli’s winger and midfield player , Masoud Shojae (32 Years) have agreed a deal with the Greek Super League outfit, Panionios FC.

Shojaei , who was playing for the QSL Al Gharafa last season in Qatar, will be joining his compatriot , Karim Ansarifard in the same team in Greek league.  Shojaei has played in the Spanish La Liga side Osasuna (101 games & 8 goals) and Segunda Division , Las Palmas (29 games & 5 goals) before returning east to the Persian Gulf and joining Qatar league.

Panionios FC were performing quite strongly in last season and with the help of Ansarifard’s goals , as they climbed the table near the top , but their campaign faltered towards the end and were finally ranked 5th , which was a massive improvement from the season before when they just managed to avoid relegation.

Panionios management has been trying to strengthen the squad to mount a good run and yet another title challenge in the Super League Greece season 2016/17.  They play their home games in Nea Smyrni Stadium with a capacity of 11.700 seats. Panionios FC is one of the oldest and most historic Greek teams.

Pooladi and Shojaei relegated in QSL.

Al Shahaniya club lost its final match in the Qatar Star League QSL against Al Ahli and were relegated to the second division. Al Shahaniya which has two Team Melli players Mehrdad Pooladi and Masoud Shojaei in their squad , were just promoted last season. The two Iranian players started with the team from the beginning of the season , but their efforts were fruitless and could not help keep the newly promoted team in top flight for more than one season.

Al Shahaniya finished in 13th position with 20 points 7 points ahead of the bottom team Al Shamal which is also relegated along with Al Shahaniya.

Al Ahli which is coached by the ex-Sepahan coach Zlatko Kranjcar and has Jalal Hosseini and Mojtaba Jabbari playing for them finished the season at 5th place. Hosseini and played Pooladi played the full match for their respective teams , while Masoud Shojaei was introduced as a substitute from the second half. Jabbari is currently injured.

Al Wakrah which has Reza Ghoochanejad in their squad , just missed on relegation by beating Al Gharafa 2-1 in the final round of the QSL a result that ensured their survival. Al Wakrah finished with 23 point at 12 place just above the relegated Al Shahaniya. Ghoochanejad made a cameo appearance for Al Wakra when he replaced Ahmad Koheyl Substituted in the final 5 minutes of the game.

QSL title was won by Lekhwiya for the fourth time in their history.

No serious injury fears in Team Melli squad.

Amir Hossein Sadeghi , Andranik Teymourian and Masoud Shojae carry  slight knocks that is not considered to be too serious according to Team Melli medical staff.

Teymourian & Shojae played against Bahrain and both received a slight knock in the game , while Sadeghi is believed to had these knocks during the training sessions in Australia. Amir Hossein Sadeghi was an unused substitute in the Bahrain game which Team Melli won 2-0.

All the three players are being given special treatment and recovery training.

Dr. Khanlori also confirmed that Hashim Beigzadeh , who was replaced by Khanzadeh is suffering from a broken bones in his palm. “We could have placed a special protective element as a precaution in order to make him ready for playing , but at the end we decided not to take a risk.” The head of Medical staff of Team Melli announced.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Hossein Haymathi , who is in-charge of Team Melli squad security,  a task which involves keeping an eye on Team Melli players whereabouts and movements , denied that any players have been reprimanded or cautioned for indiscipline, according to his statement to ISNA.   The security section ensures that tight measures are implemented to deter the squad from meeting undesirable personnel from abroad especially opposition figures and remind everyone that they are being closely watched. However, the official declared tasks of this security apparatus is ensuring discipline and conforming to curfew hours , routine tasks that are assigned to Team Mangers in every other squad.

“As you might have witnessed, other squads like Oman and Bahrain have quite a lot of freedom of movements  and their players are seen to be coming and going out at will. Our team is much more disciplined and abide by the rules” . Haymathi said.

About the rumors of the caution for 3 players “That is totally false. We have not cautioned any player no singled out any squad member for disciplinary issues. Amir Hossein Sadeghi, Andranik Teymourian and Masoud Shojae have left the hotel for some medical treatment with the approval of Team Manager.”

It is not clear if Mr. Haymathi is attached to the FFIRI the Iranian Government Security and intelligence system.

Alireza Haghighi and Amir Hossein Sadeghi