Esteghlal FC player eligibility and disciplinary disputes

Legal and disciplinary disputes have emerged in the Iranian Premier League involving Esteghlal FC and the eligibility of player Yaser Asani.

On August 14, Mes Shahr Babak filed an official complaint against Esteghlal following a 4-0 defeat. The club contested the eligibility of winger Yaser Asani, arguing he should not have been allowed to play due to a closed transfer window. Mes Shahr Babak CEO Mojtaba Esmaeili stated that lawyers are pursuing the matter through judicial channels to challenge the validity of Asani’s presence in the lineup.

By August 24, the focus shifted to further disputes involving Esteghlal. Following a 2-0 victory against Sepahan, Esteghlal announced plans to file a complaint with the Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee against Sepahan midfielder Aref Hajizadeh for alleged unsportsmanlike conduct toward supporters. Concurrently, Sepahan officials submitted their own complaint to the match inspector regarding the presence of Yaser Asani on the field during the match.