Iran goalkeeper Beiranvand hit with four-month ban over Persepolis contract row
Tractor and Iran international goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was handed a four-month ban from international and club action by the Iranian Football Federation’s Appeal Committee over a year-long contract dispute with his former club Persepolis, the national governing body of the sport confirmed on Saturday.
Beiranvand, 32, walked out of his contract with Persepolis in June last year – citing delayed wages – to join fellow-Iranian top-flight club Tractor.
His move was deemed illegal by Persepolis, which lodged a complained to the Status Committee of the Iranian federation.
Beiranvand initially received a four-month suspension, but Persepolis appealed the decision, demanding a definitive ban for the Iranian goalkeeper.
“According to submitted documents and expert assessment, Persepolis fulfilled all its financial obligations under the 2023-2024 season contract,” read the verdict by the Appeal Committee.
“Beiranvand terminated his contract on June 20, whereas the contract explicitly permitted termination only after a 15-day waiting period following the last competitive match of the season (June 21),” added the verdict, concluding what was arguably the most controversial legal case in Iranian football history.
A six-time champion in the Iranian league with Persepolis, Beiranvand kept 19 clean sheets in 37 appearances for Tractor across all competitions, helping the club lift a maiden Persian Gulf Pro League trophy in May.
His ban is a major setback for Tractor ahead of its league title defense – starting with a home game against Esteghlal on August 19 – as well as the early stages of the upcoming AFC Champions League Elite, which will kick off with the first matchday of the league phase in the West region on September 15.