Mehdi Mahdavikia addressed the soccer authorities: “You have neither Conscience nor Dignity”!

• The Capitan of Iran’s National soccer team, after leaving the team warned the authorities and the people in a letter; “now that the team has been eliminated from qualifying (soccer world cup 2010 in South Africa) and this popular sport has been surrounded by many issues and problems a red flag has been raised and you must find a way to get out of this situation”.

In this handwritten letter by Mehdi Mahdavikia which was written and published on July 6th he has said “first of all I would like to talk to you, you the fan of the Team-e- Meli. You’ve always been there for the team and the players through ups and downs, lose or win. You’ve cried out of joy with our victories and been sad with each defeat.



The main responsibility of I and the entire team throughout all these years has been to play a good game and to create a joy moment. I apologize to all of you for all the defeats and all the bad memories it might’ve created in your minds and I wish every single one of you health and happiness.



I’ll never forget my first game and the first time I wore the Team-e-Meli. Being part of the team has been the best time of my life. Since I believe in giving chance and opportunity to the youngster; there has been time when I decide not to play just to let the younger player play. With all these being said, I believe this is a good time for me to quit the team forever and let our young and capable player to be part of the team to bring many glories for our beloved Iran.



I wish my beloved team a best of luck; the team which I’ve done my best for its honor and from now on I will follow my favorite team in form of a fan.



I would like to take the time and thank all of my coaches, all the players I’ve played with which have been my good friends and all those whom I’ve been lucky to work with throughout all these years.



I want to thank every single member of my family, my friends from all around the world and my dear wife and daughter. I know I have not been around due to my crazy schedule and attending soccer camps, but I want them to know that they are the main reason for all my accomplishments. At the end I would like to point out two things which has been on my mind for weeks and after that I will never say or interview about Team-e-Meli or Iran’s soccer.

First of all, we all know that by getting eliminated from soccer world cup and by eliminating our representative in Asian Champion League; the red flag has been raised for Iran’s soccer.



I would like to ask all the former soccer players, and all those whom really care about soccer and already has done a lot for this sport to unite and by a good planning and providence take Iran’s soccer back to the place it belongs to. I also ask the soccer authorities and all those who have something to do in administrating Iran’s soccer. Instead of focusing and following matters that doesn’t concern you; establish a better and more organize plan along with providing necessary equipment for Iran’s soccer. By doing this you will help Iran to be able to get a step closer to compete against other growing Asian countries and countries from all around the world.



The last word is toward those whom have called the Team-e-Meli player s traitors!



Are you able to provide any evidence to prove what you have said about the Team-e-Meli players? Players whom have played for the team without any concerns about money and by bearing hard and long, Team-e-Meli camps and with all the mental pressures from playing important games which would change the fate of the team! Away from their families for long times, just to make their people happy and bring glory to their country! Players whom done everything they could to defend Iran’s name and soccer not only in Asia, but also worldwide and in European leagues!



They haven’t done all these hard work so now you few people call them with these undeserved names! I suggest that once you put your heads on the pillow at night think about conscience and dignity so the next morning before you perform any task you think of these two important values of human being and call the Team-e-Meli players with well-deserved names.



Our report card in achieving honor and dignity for our country and people has numerous good and bad numbers, but they are all out there for everyone to see. Now it is you’re turn to turn in your report cards, so by reviewing all your accomplishments and patriot, we also become more loyal to our country. However, I believe that people are well capable of differentiating between us traitors and you patriots and decide for themselves.



Team-e-Meli players have always done their best to be a decent representative for their people. Therefore they have played all their games with minimal violation of soccer roles. Even though we’ve lost lots of games, but we’ve never forgotten a gentlemanly attitude.