Stuck in Iran: how the conflict in the Middle East affected Russian football
The Iran-Israel conflict has also indirectly affected football. Including the Russian one. Some Iranian legionnaires who perform in Russia found themselves on the territory of their country at the time of the outbreak of hostilities. And now they are having difficulty returning to their clubs in time for the start of pre-season training camps, as Iran's airspace is closed due to Israeli strikes. And the championship starts on July 20th. Read more about the situation in the Izvestia article.
Said Sakharkhizan (Orenburg)
The 21-year-old Orenburg striker Said Sakharkhizan, who has been playing for the club since last summer, is currently in Iran and has not yet been able to leave the country. However, he's fine, he's with his family. Ismail Ibragimov, sports director of Orenburg, informed Sport-Express about this.
Orenburg striker Said Sakharkhizan and Zenit midfielder Andrey Mostovoy (from left to right) during the match, 2024
"We are looking for ways to resolve the issue. We have contacted the embassy, but so far there have been no changes. We're doing it. The player is with his family, we are in constant contact with him, everything is fine," Ibrahimov said.
Ibragimov also added that the club is exploring several alternative options for Sakharkhizan's return to Russia. One of them is by land route through Azerbaijan, and from there by plane. At the same time, Saeed's compatriot, Inter Milan striker Mehdi Taremi, has already tried to get out of Iran in a similar way, but could not.
Orenburg started training camps on June 19. Last season, Sakharkhizan played 30 matches in all competitions, scored eight goals and made one assist, becoming the team's top scorer. Orenburg itself was relegated to the First League following the results of the RPL draw.
Mohammad Javad Hosseinnejad (Dynamo Makhachkala)
Dynamo Makhachkala midfielder Mohammad Javad Hosseinnejad has already missed the start of training camp, which started on June 10. Shamil Gazizov, CEO of Dynamo Makhachkala, said in a conversation with SE that he could not yet name at least an approximate date for the player's return to Russia, but the club remains in touch with the player.
Gazizov also commented on the likelihood of Hosseinnejad joining the ranks of the Iranian Armed Forces.
"If he wants to (join the Iranian army)... What about us? He's a football player, but patriotism is a big deal. So far he has not expressed such thoughts," Gazizov said.
On June 15, Gazizov reported on Mohammad's attempts to leave the country by car, but the situation worsened the next day.
"The situation is very difficult right now. Everyone knows what's going on there, so we're waiting. Maybe it will at least subside after a while. It is still very dangerous to travel by car around the country. It is unlikely that he will join us tomorrow [June 17] for training camps, as previously planned," Gazizov said.
According to the latest information from the club on the evening of June 17, Mohammad is in a safe place, "if I may say so." Now Dynamo is trying to do everything possible for the player to return to the team's location.
Hosseinnejad has been playing for Dynamo Makhachkala since August 2024. In the 2024/25 season, the 21-year-old Iranian scored three goals and made five assists in 29 matches for the team in all competitions.
Kasra Taheri ("Ruby")
The third RPL player stuck in Iran is 18—year-old striker of Kazan "Rubin" Kasra Taheri. The club said that the player will be able to return to Kazan as soon as logistics allow.
— Kasra Taheri is still in Iran. As soon as the logistics allow him to return to Kazan, he will join the team. The club is in touch with the player," Rubin's press service said.
Rubin's pre-season training camp starts on June 20. Most likely, the player will miss their start.
Taheri has been playing for Rubin since February 2024, but has not yet become a stable player in the main squad. Since moving to Kazan, the striker has played only six matches, in which he spent a total of 69 minutes on the field and was not noted for effective actions.
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