DPA - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
called Sunday on rendering a credit to Iran's top two football clubs
Esteqlal and Persepolis, the Fars news agency reported.
In a letter to his vice-president Parviz Davoudi, Ahmadinejad ordered
approval of a credit amounting to 30 billion Rials (2.6 million euros) to
the two popular Tehran clubs in the next cabinet session.
Esteqlal and Persepolis are the most popular clubs in Iran and have millions
of supporters all across the country.
Both teams are affiliated to the governmental sports organization but have
in the recent months failed to pay their players due to the government's
limited financial resources.
The financial problems have also affected the two team's performance in the
league. Other teams in the league have private sponsors with more financial
facilities.
Ahmadinejad said in the letter that the problems of the two teams have
caused anger and frustration among their numerous fans nationwide and the
credit could make the fans happy again.
Ahmadinejad is football fan and used to play himself as striker and once
told reporters that he also scored many goals at that time.
