Speaking among the Iranian clubs’ officials at his office, he said, “Iranians love football, and it is the world favorite sport. All sports are highly regarded but football overshadows the others.”
“Our talented youths are invigorated with football and the affinity for this sport can be considered as a big asset. Football makes the people happy and cheerful,” Rafsanjani declared.
Football clubs should be privatized according to article 44 of the Iranian Constitution, the former president added.