# Racist incidents in Iranian football match

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/racist-incidents-in-iranian-football-match
> Updated: 2026-10-18T18:10:33.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

A Persian Gulf Pro League match between Malavan and Tractor (Traktor FK) at Sirous Qayegan Stadium was abandoned following racist chants and insults directed at the visiting team’s ethnic Turkish identity.

Tractor owner Mohammad Reza Zenouzi ordered players to leave the pitch in response to the verbal abuse. Zenouzi condemned the insults as unacceptable and called on the Iran Football Federation to act without external pressure. He warned that if the match is officially awarded as a 3-0 victory to Malavan, the club will withdraw from the Iranian Pro League and file complaints with FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The incident has triggered political backlash, with Member of Parliament Alireza Novin threatening impeachment proceedings against the Minister of Sport and Youth, criticizing the government’s response to hate speech directed at the Turkic people.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-18: Traktor FK withdraws from match following racist chanting

Traktor FK withdrew from its match against Malavan in Iran after players were targeted by organized racist slogans and ethnic insults, prompting threats to leave the professional league.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/traktor-fk-withdraws-from-match-following-racist-chanting

### 2026-10-18: Tractor and Malavan football match cancelled due to racist chants

A football match between Malavan and Tractor was cancelled in Iran following racist chants from fans, leading to threats of impeachment against the Minister of Sport by regional lawmakers.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tractor-and-malavan-football-match-cancelled-due-to-racist-chants

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Cite as: Racist incidents in Iranian football match. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/racist-incidents-in-iranian-football-match