TEHRAN – Tehran derby between Persepolis and Esteghlal football teams ended in a 1-1 draw but controversy has erupted following the referee’s decisions.

The football federation used Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the first time in Iran football league but two teams criticized the referee over his decisions despite using the video review.

The VAR protocol, as far as possible, conforms to the principles and philosophy of the Laws of the Game.

The players and team officials must not surround the referee or attempt to influence if a decision is reviewed, the review process or the final decision.

But, in the Tehran derby the players intervened and asked the referee to make decision in favor of their teams.

“Football is the last sacred ritual of our time,” said Italian film director Pier Paolo Pasolini, but the Tehran derby was not a sacred ritual and the coaches and players repeatedly broke the rules.

The fans voiced their dissatisfaction for the lackluster match and “lack of quality” annoyed the spectators.

With less than a month left to the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, players of Persepolis and Esteghlal namely, Rouzbeh Cheshmi, Alireza Beiranvand, Mehdi Torabi, Hossein Kanaanizadegan and Hossein Hosseini must represent Iran in the competition.

Team Melli, headed by Amir Ghalenoei, are going to bring an end to the title drought in the competition. Iran have not won the title since 1976.

Iran will win nothing if the mentioned-above players show this kind of quality in Qatar.