Tractor FC match abandoned after owner orders team off pitch following fan protests

TEHRAN, Oct 19 (OPA) — Tractor FC’s scheduled match against Malavan was called off shortly before kickoff following direct intervention from club owner Mohammad Reza Zonouzi. The owner, currently in Muscat, Oman, issued the order after receiving reports of offensive chants directed at his team by spectators at the Sirous Ghayeghran Stadium in Anzali.

Club board member Ali Mahmoudzadeh, who was present on the bench, acted as the primary conduit for the owner’s instructions. According to reports, Zonouzi threatened to dismiss any member of the coaching or management staff who allowed the team to take the field. The ultimatum effectively paralyzed the team’s ability to participate in the fixture.

Zonouzi, who had traveled to Muscat for an Asian competition match against Al-Shamal, monitored the situation remotely. Despite the efforts of match officials to facilitate the start of the game, the owner’s directive remained firm. The refusal to play resulted in the immediate cancellation of the match, leaving the pitch empty as the dispute escalated.

The incident highlights the volatile atmosphere surrounding the fixture and the direct influence of club ownership on match-day operations. As of now, no further disciplinary actions or rescheduled dates have been announced by the league authorities. The match remains a significant point of contention in the current season’s disciplinary record.