Icon of this sport have lost battle with epidemic

Infected with the virus on 21 January, at the age of 45 this Wednesday night passed away one of the outstanding midfielders and a true legend of Islamic Republic of Iran Mehrdad Minavand.

On a team level he won the bronze medal at the 1996 Asian Cup event. Two years later was a member in the first ever victory for the country at the World Cups (against United States of America, 2:1). When it comes to clubs, is the only Iranian footballer who played 21 games from the European version of Champions league, while back home participated in the famous Persepolis leaving a deep trace.

That is why former coaches and players from this club together with other football stars, were at his funeral the following day in the capital Tehran.