Team Melli and Persepolis defender Mohammedreza Khanzadeh has failed in his appeal against a long term suspension for disciplinary violations.

The FFIRI appeal committee has ruled against an appeal filed by the player’s agent requesting the over-turning of the stiff penalty against Khanzadeh. The Persepolis defender has been originally handed a 9 months suspension from all football activities for using obscene gesture, foul language and attempts to physically attack a Persepolis fan in front of media and many other witnesses. Khanzadeh had to be physically restrained by many people but continued his verbal assault making a rowdy scene after a defeat which many Persepolis fans found unacceptable accusing some players of lack of effort.

Khanzadeh (23 years) is a notorious player known for his indiscipline. The appeal committee in FFIRI , which is normally passive in cases like such , has come down strongly against Khanzadeh due to his long background of lack of disciplinary and respect for the law such as that famous push in the chest of a Vietnamese player in the Asian games 2014. That physical attack lead to his dismissal from the match and further suspension from the AFC.

The FFIRI appeal committee ordered Khanzadeh to carry on community work and train young footballers as part of his rehabilitation program.

This unprecedented heavy punishment is a strong signal by the federation and particularly by the authorities, against transgressions and misdemeanor by athletes and footballers which has been on the rise lately. There has been a public outcry about such display of unruly behavior by sportsmen which has forced the authorities to act.