For decades it has been a source of bitter rivalry among Iran’s vast army of soccer fanatics.
Now the Persepolis v Esteghlal Tehran derby, often a scene of crowd violence and angry on-pitch confrontations, is to be transformed into a tool of soccer diplomacy thanks to plans to stage the match on US soil. Iran’s two biggest clubs are understood to be planning simultaneous US tours culminating in a fixture between them.
The plan was disclosed by Persepolis manager Abbas Ansarifard, who said his club had sought permission from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
“For holding several friendly matches, including one against the Esteghlal team, Persepolis will travel to the US,” he told Channel Six, the state television news station.
Ansarifard said an unnamed company would sponsor the trip. He did not say when it would take place or where the matches would be played. Cities with large ethnic Iranian populations, such as Los Angeles, would be most likely to attract big crowds.
News of the proposed trip follows visits to Iran this month by leading figures from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Hollywood and a team of US wrestlers, who competed against Iranian opponents.
Allowing a trip by the soccer teams could indicate a positive response by Iran’s leaders to US President Barack Obama’s call for engagement, expressed last week in a videotaped message to mark Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is a known soccer enthusiast.
Mohsen Rezai, a former revolutionary guards commander and secretary of the powerful expediency council, used a sporting metaphor to interpret the response to Obama’s overture by Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“A long shot has been returned to Mr Obama and into the US field,” he wrote on news Web site Tabnak, referring to Khamenei’s demand in a speech last Saturday for proof that US policies had changed. “Has Iran chosen football, in which it is skilled and privileged, compared to ping pong?”
Soccer may not necessarily be the best sport to bring the two nations closer. Iran’s 2-1 victory over the US at the 1998 World Cup was greeted by wild street celebrations in Tehran and other cities.
Nor are clashes between Persepolis and Esteghlal noted for peace and harmony. Several have had to be abandoned because of disputes over refereeing decisions.
A runner who stopped during a marathon in China to pose doing the splits and another who hoarded energy gels have been banned for two years, the local athletics association said yesterday. The incidents happened during Sunday’s marathon in Sichuan Province’s Chengdu and were widely shared online. Videos showed a female runner stopping suddenly and dropping to the ground in the splits position, holding up her arms in a heart shape as she apparently posed for a photograph. She “committed obstructive fouls during the race, affecting the safe participation of other runners,” the Sichuan Athletics Association said in a statement, which identified
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli yesterday vowed to “keep raising the bar” after winning the Japanese Grand Prix to become the youngest driver in Formula One history to lead the championship standings. The 19-year-old Italian took advantage of a mid-race safety car to jump into the lead after a dreadful start from pole position, crossing the line ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Antonelli’s Suzuka victory came two weeks after the first grand prix win of his career in China, and sent him top of the championship standings after three races, nine points ahead of team-mate George Russell. Mercedes are struggling to
Teng Kai-wei, the only Taiwanese player on an opening-day roster in this year’s Major League Baseball (MLB) season, took his first win of the year with the Houston Astros in his season debut. Teng entered in relief in the top of the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday, with the Astros trailing 5-0. He pitched 2-1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts, as Houston scored 11 runs during his outing to snatch an 11-9 comeback victory. The win is the Astros’ first of the season and the third of Teng’s MLB career. “It’s my first time pitching for the Astros, so
Workers are hammering, cranes are swinging and seats are being bolted into place — but the clock is ticking. Mexico City’s famous Azteca stadium, reborn as Estadio Banorte, is in a frantic race to be ready for its grand reopening on Saturday. Drone footage showed crews installing seats and attaching the new stadium name to the facade, with cranes looming overhead 48 hours before the gates are due to open for a high-profile friendly between Mexico and Portugal. For residents, the breakneck pace of construction has done little to inspire confidence. “I know they are working practically seven days a week, 24 hours
RSS