Fans see red, jeer embattled Parvin

IRNA - The king of football in Iran and all-time favorite of the red-shirted Persepolis fans, Ali Parvin, was for the first time seen off with boos and jeers from angry rooters here Sunday.

Former national and Persepolis skipper Parvin, who blames financial problems for his side's lackluster performance in the fifth Iran Pro League, is in the hot seat as the 1-1 draw with Zob Ahan in the seventh week left the reds in the 13th spot of the 16-strong table.

Persepolis looked to win the game in Azadi Stadium when new signing Ali Alizadeh opened the scoring in the fifth minute. But the visitor scored the equalizer 10 minutes after the break as Mehdi Rajabzadeh escaped an unorganized offside trap to steer the ball past hapless keeper Farshid Karimi.

The reds were too lucky to lose at home. Zob Ahan was twice denied by the post to split the points with troubled Persepolis.

Parvin vowed to quit the club even if the managing director would be changed, the Farsi-language sports daily Abrar-e Varzeshi quoted the veteran trainer as saying in its Monday's edition.

Persepolis has six points and one match in hand and Isfahan's Zob Ahan occupies the third slot on 14 points.