Rah Ahan gives holder Foulad third consecutive defeat

IRNA - Holder Foulad extended its losing streak with a 1-0 loss to controversially promoted Rah Ahan in their postponed second-week match of the fifth Iran Pro League here Monday.

Rah Ahan produced a host of scoring opportunities on the pitch of Fouladshahr Stadium, but netted once as Ahmad Taqavi grabbed the winner one minute into the second half.

Foulad representing the football-mad southern province of Khuzestan is in the rock-bottom of the 16-team league with three straight defeats and Rah Ahan lies in the 10th spot on three points out of three games.

The southern side San'at Naft has a long row with Rah Ahan, which received the green light from Football Federation despite a temporary ban by the Administrative Justice Tribunal and made debut in the Pro League.

Rah Ahan joined the IPL teams on nine points due to better goal difference when compared to that of Naft.

Naft officials lodged an official complaint with the federation against the promoted side for hiring an unauthorized player Ahmad Moqaddassipour, whose date of birth has been forged.

According to the regulations, each team can use five under-23 players.

Rah Ahan had violated the rules as the age of the 25-year-old Moqaddassipour had been reduced in his fake birth certificate to 21.

The tribunal studying the case has recently announced Rah Ahan must be stripped of victories in all matches Moqaddassipour played and this means Naft's qualification.

But Naft has yet to wait for the final verdict as the federation and Rah Ahan officials can file an appeal.