Marfavi walks out as Esteghlal football coach

MNA – TEHRAN, Samad Marfavi stepped down as Esteghlal’s coach after the fans chanted slogans against the team’s general manager.

Esteghlal scored a late equalizer against Saipa in the Iran Professional League (IPL) at the Azadi Stadium on Sunday. During the match some Esteghlal fans demanded in their slogans that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad replace Amir-Reza Vaezi-Ashtiani because of the team’s poor results.

Esteghlal officials have yet to accept Marfavi’s resignation. They are expected to announce their decision on the matter by Tuesday night.

According to one of the club’s board members, Marfavi submitted his resignation to Esteghlal managerial board Monday morning; however, around noon Marfavi denied doing such and said he was not going to leave the club.

Esteghlal is fourth in the IPL standings with 33 points, eleven points behind pacesetter Sepahan.