Putting the facts into place

Persianleague
- Feb 16, 2002
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Sportalasia- Mahdi Hasheminassab always seems to make the headlines, for all the right and unfortunately, wrong reasons. However, the assertive defender assures that it was never in him to delude the fans. "I have obligations to the team that I play for and I do not plan to play with peoples' feelings," said the player who turned more than just eyebrows when he moved from Pirouzi to Esteghlal, the two biggest clubs in Iran.

It is hard to understand the significance of the transfer between the two clubs unless one has spent ample time in Iran. Relations between both sets of fans often border on hatred, and it is no exaggeration that a lesser player would not have dared the path that Hasheminassab has chosen to embark on.
Hasheminassab remains steadfast that it was the right decision at the end of the day. As speculation grew that he will soon be making a move to the rival club, fans made their feelings felt and lashed out, some taking a step further and damaging the player's cars.
Considering the torment the Iran international was put through by fans who used to adore him, Hasheminassab was explicitly noble as he explained the driving forces behind his decision-making.
"It was a very hard time deciding if moving to Esteghlal will be a right decision," said Hasheminassab. "I will never allow anyone to influence the decisions in my career and I will always stick by my decisions. I have my own reason to make the change and my family has been part of my considerations to ensure that it will be a right decision.
"Moving to Esteghlal has shown that it was the right career path.
"It was not easy getting down to the decision as there were repercussions to my family. I understand that most fans are under the age of 20 and 25 and they are very passionate about the clubs and look upon players as heroes."

"It comes in a package with this sort of career that you have to respect the fans' decisions."

With much hype surrounding Hasheminassab's return to Pirouzi for a league game, the defender added that it was never his motive to upset the fans who had not so long ago chanted his name.
"There was a lot of weight on my shoulders when playing against Pirouzi. I was not sure if I could deliver, but thanks to God, I made the winning goal. I did not go out onto the pitch to break the hearts of my former supporters but people behind the scenes had forced me to change clubs.
"I was happy to show them that it was a bad decision on their part.
"Rivalry has always existed in the past and it has intensified through time," added Hasheminassab on the Esteghlal-Pirouzi relationship. "Controversy had always existed around Esteghlal and Pirouzi as these two clubs gather more interest than the national side.
"Fans are more concerned about the fortunes of these two clubs and get more fanatical about the results between the two than when Iran plays other national sides. In fact, if a player wants to be an important player of the national side, he has to be either from Esteghlal or Pirouzi."
Hasheminassab has never shunned the media for fear of ruffling the wrong feathers, and it was his hard talking that earned the wrath of many in the country when he criticised former Iran coach Miroslav Blazevic in public.
It was never smooth sailing to the first team sheet of Iran but Hasheminassab said he felt proud to have been associated with the national side. Playing at the Azadi stadium was not an overnight achievement, and he urged every aspiring Iranian footballer to follow the footsteps of Ali Daei and Karim Bagheri to seek not just recognition in foreign leagues, but the much valued experience for the sake of the national side.
"I understand that every footballer wants to be involved with their national side," explained Hasheminassab. "I didn't have the chance five years ago but now that I am in the team, the Iranian national side can hopefully defend the country's pride on the world stage.
"I see it as a challenge to bridge the standards. Some players from the team were fortunate to have played in other countries and this will bring much experience to the team.
"These players have a far more solid background and this can only be positive for Iran."
It was never easy for the Iranians to watch their team concede the automatic qualifying spot to Korea/Japan to their old rivals Saudi Arabia. Hasheminassab once again imposed his views on the current dour state within the Iranian game, but he added that there is still hope as optimism is the vital key to reviving the highs of qualifying for France98.
"Saudi Arabia and Iran used to be on par but that is in the past. Iran, like any team, will go through a slump at one time or another and it is evident that we are having problems at the moment. It is undeniable that Saudi Arabia is a good side but teams like Bahrain will soon begin to challenge the rest of us.
"We are heading in the right direction and no team should be allowed to halt our aspirations.
"There is a lot of pressure being put on Iran to be successful," said Hasheminassab. "There are a lot of emotions, a lot of pressure when playing for Iran and perhaps a lot of hardship as well.
"You can see that in the World Cup qualifying."

 
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