Tehran.

Esteghlal club, one of the two major clubs in Iran , has decided to kick Mojtaba Jabbari out of the club, according to a post in the club’s official website. There was no immidiate confirmation from Fathollazadah, Estghlal’s Chief Xexecutive or any other official in this regards.

Jabbari ,  Team Melli and Esteghlal midfielder , has been in an excellent form of late and a pivotal player for both the club and country. Jabbari helped his club to the Championship title and also to the qualification to the quarter finals of the AFC Champions league this season. With Team Melli , he was a a vital player in the last three matches that Team Melli has won to gain qualification to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Jabbari has apparently gone to the club headquarters to demand his much due payment of his salary. The club officials have once again been reluctant to release the money,  most probably due to non-availability of cash in the club bank account. When contacted to comment on the situation , Mojtaba Jabbari refused to comment any further other than to confirm that he went to the club premises for financial settlement.

Esteghal club , like many others in the league, is a notorious  bad payer. Non-payment of wages,  very late payment and bounced checks has been a hallmark of this very well supported club.. Several local and foreign players have filed law suites against this financially strapped club. Jabbari , who is quite outspoken , has argued his case with the officials of the club and threatened legal action. Esteghlal , always club always demands that players be patient and accept delays of wages simply due the delay of handout by the government.

This Transgression of Estghal club towards its players , some of whom are national assets of the country’s football, has left a bitter taste with many footballers. Countless number of footballers have on-going financial disputes with the club for the same reason, non-payment of wages according to the contract. Players such as Nekounam , Borhani, Hamoodi and Hatami are a few that have recently spoken out in public against Estghlal’s failure to honor its financial commitment.  Players who dare to demand their rights like Jabbari , are labeled as disloyal and subjected to harassment  directed at them by the club officials and part of  the fans who are driven and paid by by the club hierarchy.

Esteghlal, like Perspolis and the majority of Sport clubs in Iran , is run by government which provides financial support. The club has very limited self-generating revenue and has been suffering from financial problems for long years. Despite the shortage of funds, Iranian clubs spend millions of dollars each year in player transfers.