The owner of Tractor Club, criticizing the performance of the Football Federation in the case of the match against Shabab Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, emphasized: Given the country's special circumstances, it was expected that the Federation and Mehdi Taj himself would intervene with all their capacity to change the venue and defend the rights of Iran's only representative in the Elite League, rather than adopting a conservative approach and shifting responsibility off their own shoulders.

Mohammad Reza Zonouzi Motlaq, in an interview with Tractor Club's official media, referring to the club's correspondence with the AFC regarding the conditions for continuing the Elite League matches, stated: In such special circumstances, it was the duty of the Football Federation to pursue the matter seriously until the end, to make changing the venue a national demand, and to use its international capacities; not to settle for a simple exchange of letters and then shift the burden of responsibility onto the club.

Zonouzi, criticizing Mehdi Taj's recent comments, added: The recent stance of the Football Federation regarding the current situation is in no way consistent with the conditions communicated by the Ministry of Sports. In these circumstances, the Federation should have stood behind Tractor, not created a multiplicity of voices and left Iran's representative isolated against the Asian Football Confederation.

The owner of Tractor continued: We have exercised restraint, but some gentlemen take advantage of this restraint to distance themselves from challenges or to shirk responsibility. In a letter to the AFC, with clear arguments, we have explained the security situation in the region and the force majeure nature of the situation; including the fact that even the United States has asked its citizens to leave Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, Iran's conditions are such that gathering players and sending the team to this match is not easily possible, and moreover, foreign players are not very willing to be present in such an atmosphere.

Referring to the AFC's double standards, he said: When even a small incident happens in Iran, insecurity and revocation of hosting rights are immediately raised, but now, despite the war-like conditions in Saudi Arabia, that country continues to host matches. This is double and unfair treatment, and the AFC must provide clear answers regarding its criteria.

Zonouzi also emphasized: Tractor Club has made every effort in this case to ensure that Iranian football does not suffer, and the country's interests are prioritized. We do not want emotional or unfair decisions to harm the credibility of Iranian football; that is why we have proceeded with care, restraint, and responsibility, and have taken into account all legal aspects in our correspondence so as not to provide any excuse for striking at our country's football.

The owner of Tractor Club continued: When Mr. Taj says, "if Tractor wants, we will provide the conditions," this means transferring responsibility to the club. Is the club supposed to fight this case alone? The Federation should have taken an official, clear, and decisive stance and should not have allowed a multiplicity of voices in such an atmosphere.

Zonouzi also referred to Mehdi Taj's international position and said: He is the Vice President of the AFC. If what we have said in the letter is correct, why is he not defending Tractor's rights? And if it is incorrect, why does he not tell us clearly and transparently? Either the AFC must give a clear answer, or the Federation must stand against this decision with all its might. At the very least, we expected Mr. Taj to contact high-ranking football officials, including the FIFA President, and state clearly that we are facing a double and unfair decision in Asia. If necessary, they should have pursued the matter through legal and judicial channels as well.

Zonouzi concluded: The issue is not just one match; the essence of the matter is that the Federation should have stood by the Iranian team at the critical moment. But unfortunately, not only did that not happen, but with vague and conservative stances, it shifted the burden of responsibility off its own shoulders and effectively threw the ball into Tractor Club's court, while Tractor Club, in all its correspondence, has prioritized the defense of the country's dignity and standing and has acted with maximum responsibility to prevent any harm to Iranian football.

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Zonouzi: The Federation must stand behind Tractor

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