Sepahan ruled out of Asian competition as three clubs vie for Iran’s final spot
Persian Gulf Pro League club Sepahan has been officially ruled out of next season’s AFC Champions League Two after failing to obtain the AFC’s professional license required for participation in continental competitions, leaving the Iranian Football Federation facing a difficult decision over the country’s third representative in Asia.
The federation had initially named Esteghlal and Tractor – the top two in the league table – as Iran’s teams for the AFC Champions League Elite, after the domestic top-flight was canceled following the outbreak of the country’s military conflict with the United States and Israel on February 28. Third-placed Sepahan had been lined up for the continent’s second-tier competition.
However, Sepahan’s unsuccessful attempt to secure a professional license resulted in the Isfahan-based club losing its place despite lodging an appeal. The issue was effectively settled after it emerged that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) would not grant Sepahan an additional opportunity to submit the required documentation.
With Sepahan removed from the equation, three clubs have emerged as potential replacements: Golgohar Sirjan, Chadormalu and Persepolis.
Federation officials are understood to favor selecting the next highest-ranked team in the league standings, meaning Golgohar would receive the vacant berth.
Golgohar currently sits fourth in the league table with 36 points from 23 matches. Chadormalu is fifth with 35 points from 22 matches, while Persepolis is sixth with 34 points, also from 22 matches.
However, Golgohar’s advantage is complicated by the fact that the club has played one more match than both Chadormalu and Persepolis. Awarding the Asian berth to Golgohar before the standings are fully balanced could trigger objections from the two clubs directly behind them.
A second and potentially more significant complication involves an unresolved disciplinary case between Golgohar and Chadormalu.
Following Golgohar’s 5-1 defeat to Chadormalu on Matchday 22 of the league season, the Sirjan-based outfit filed a complaint alleging that Paraguayan player Mauro Caballero had been ineligible to play for Chadormalu.
The case has reportedly been reviewed three times by the disciplinary committee in recent weeks, but no final verdict has been issued. Given the importance of the matter, any ruling is expected to be appealed by one of the parties, potentially extending the process further and delaying a final decision on Iran’s third AFC Champions League Two representative.
Amid the uncertainty, reports have circulated suggesting that a three-team playoff tournament involving Golgohar, Chadormalu and Persepolis could be organized to determine the final Asian berth, but no official from the national governing body has confirmed such a plan. According to the federation, the AFC has agreed to extend the deadline for announcing Iran’s clubs by two weeks, which could provide sufficient time for pending disciplinary cases and other outstanding issues to be resolved before a final decision is made.