گل‌گهر سیرجان رسماً از لیگ قهرمانان آسیا انصراف داد

به نقل از کیک زون، withdrawal of Gol Gehr Sirdjan from participating in the Asian Champions League has created a new phase in selecting the third representative. After Chadormaloo Ardakan managed to win the three-way tournament involving Gol Gehr and Persepolis, it was reported that on May 11th, Gol Gehr's name was announced as Iran's representative, and correspondence needed to be made to change it to Chadormaloo, with an uncertain outcome. However, the CEO of Gol Gehr club has officially announced the club's withdrawal from continental club competitions through a letter to the federation president, thereby maintaining the dignity of the Sirdjani club and ending speculations. It should be noted that Gol Gehr's letter states that if there are international repercussions for this club or the Iranian Football Federation, they will reconsider their decision. The letter, written by Mohammad Esfandiarpour (CEO of Gol Gehr) addressed to Mehdi Taj (FFI President), begins as follows: "While offering condolences on the occasion of the burial of the Martyred Leader of the Revolution and the Imam of the Ummah, and considering the sensitive conditions arising from the unjust war of the American Zionist enemy and its consequences on various aspects of social, cultural, and sports life in the country, before any speech, it must be stated that the Gol Gehr Sirdjan Cultural and Sports Club, in the current situation of the country and throughout the long process of introducing Asian quotas, has always considered itself bound to respect the position of the Football Federation and the decisions of its official bodies. Therefore, what is presented in this letter stems from a deep concern about the fate that has befallen this club, which is the same entity built over years by the efforts and support of the Gol Gehr Industrial and Mining Complex, its esteemed workers, fans, managers, and players." Subsequently, based on legal requirements and quota consideration from the frozen table, it is emphasized: "As you are aware, based on available evidence and documents, the Gol Gehr club was initially introduced through a legal path and based on the frozen Premier League table as Iran's representative in the second tier of Asian club competitions; the same criterion used for the first and second quotas. However, despite uncertainties regarding the basis of this decision and the team's technical readiness after four months away from competition, Gol Gehr participated in the three-way tournament solely out of respect for Iranian football fans, the Chadormaloo Industrial and Mining Company, the Chadormaloo club, and to avoid any speculation of shirking competition from this club."

He emphasized the need to clarify the decision-making process: "Now that the Football Federation has officially introduced Chadormaloo Ardakan to the Asian Football Confederation, this club, while fully respecting this decision, is compelled to raise this concern that part of the media space has unfortunately been shaped as if any questioning of the process means denying Chadormaloo's rights. This image has placed a heavy burden on Gol Gehr club, which only seeks clarification of the basis for a decision that directly affects its sports rights. However, after much deliberation, Gol Gehr club has decided to announce its final position clearly: regardless of the decision the AFC will make in the coming days, even if AFC accepts Gol Gehr as Iran's representative, this club will withdraw from these competitions. This decision is not out of reluctance to participate in Asia or underestimating this honor. This decision is a conscious response to the process in which ambiguities regarding this club's rights were formed, which today even the possible restoration of the quota cannot compensate for." Esfandiarpour has also requested that this letter be communicated as the position of the Sirdjani club: "Gol Gehr prefers to clarify the core issue for the public opinion of Iranian football rather than accepting a quota obtained under these ambiguities. Gol Gehr once again with emphasis states: the issue for this club has never been the quota; the issue has been the principle of stability and equality in the implementation of regulations. We hope this letter will be regarded not as a complaint but as an honest reflection of a club's concern that has always tried to move within the legal framework and with respect to all parties. Therefore, we request from you and the esteemed members of the board of directors that this official withdrawal be registered as this club's position and also communicated to the Asian Football Confederation."

However, it is finally emphasized that Gol Gehr's absence will be conditional on there being no international repercussions: "It is also necessary to state that the Gol Gehr club, understanding the importance of national interests and the prestige of Iranian football in the international arena, declares that if the AFC once again and definitively introduces this club as Iran's representative and its absence would have consequences for the Football Federation and the club, Gol Gehr is prepared to reconsider its decision within the framework of pragmatism and safeguarding the position of Iranian football. In conclusion, we emphasize that Gol Gehr club, as always, has appreciated the Football Federation's efforts to promote and develop this popular sport in the country and hopes that this experience will lead to the formulation of clearer procedures for all clubs in the future."