TEHRAN (Iran News) – The Persian Gulf Pro League was postponed until November 6 due to an increase in the COVID-19 infections in Iran, said Mohammad-Asad Masjedi, the head of Sports Medicine Federation of the country.
Iran’s Health Ministry on Tuesday reported 5,039 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the previous 24 hours – 322 of which were fatal.
The 20th edition of the Iranian pro league was to kick off on October 31, instead of November.
“Given the coronavirus crisis, the Sports Medicine Federation is to decide on sporting events and activities in the country, so we ordered the Football Federation to suspend the league,” Masjedi said on Tuesday.
“Two athletics and horse racing competitions have already been called off,” added the Iranian official, though he said no new decisions have been made on other sports.
The first matchday of the new season will see Persepolis, eyeing a record-extending fifth consecutive league title, start its campaign at Saipa, with archrival Esteghlal, having Mahmoud Fekri as the new manager, taking on newly-promoted Mes Rafsanjan.
Amir Qalenoei will have a reunion with former club Sepahan when his new team Golgohar Sirjan hosts the Isfahan-based side.
Alireza Mansourian, meanwhile, will make his debut on Tractor’s bench with a home fixture against Naft Masjed Soleyman, while Javad Nekounam’s Foolad Khuzestan, which stole the headlines with a third-spot finish last season, will have a trip to Isfahan to face Zob Ahan.
The League Organization of the federation said it will announce the new dates and kickoff times of the rescheduled opening matchday in the coming days.
- source : Iran Daily
