GOAL - With the Iranian side having financial trouble, Ali Fatollahzadeh gave his own Lexus automobile to defender Amir Hossein Sadeghi to convince him to stay on for the next season.

The president of Esteghlal FC has given away his own car as wages for one of the club's players in a rather unusual move.

Ali Fatollahzadzeh has decided to pay defender Amir Hossein Sadeghi with a Lexus automobile to get the Iranian international to stay on at the Tehran-based club for the next season.

This has come about because of the financial problems at Esteghlal, who belong to the country's Ministry of Sport and Youth despite being one of the Tehran giants alongside Persepolis FC. Fatollahzadzeh had wanted to resign over such issues, but eventually decided to stay on and try to convince the players to do likewise for the next season.

All players in the Iran Pro-League sign one-year contracts with the clubs, meaning that they will be free to move on at the end of every season for free. In a farcical situation, Esteghlal were left with only two players after the end of the previous campaign. The problem is compounded by the increased demands of players, increasing the difficulty of holding on to them.

With the club's financial problems, Fatollahzadzeh did not have much choice but to give up a car as payment. It is not the first time the Esteghlal president has done this though; 10 year ago, he had donated his Nissan Maxima to another player.