Background of Shith Rezaei
Shith Rezaei, in a season when Persepolis was not performing well and in a match where they were down four goals, tied his captain’s armband on his wrist. The gesture, made at the moment of defeat, became a symbol of accepting defeat in Iranian football. Media, pundits, and Persepolis fans criticized him, and he left the club the following year. It seemed that no player would repeat this incident, yet it occurred again.
Ehsan Haji Safi in the Sepahan‑Tractor Match
In week two of League 26, Sepahan hosted Tractor. As in the previous season, the yellow‑and‑black team lost 2‑0 to Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh. In the moment of defeat, photographers captured a scene where Ehsan Haji Safi, after picking up the ball from inside the goal, moved calmly toward the center of the pitch. Behind him, Tractor players celebrated the goal.
Ehsan always ties his armband on his right arm, a difference from other captains. In this instance, he behaved like the others and lowered the armband. This action, once thought never to be repeated, has now become a symbol of accepting defeat in Iranian football, a sign of a team’s shame before its supporters, similar to a flag half‑raised after a bad event.
Ehsan Haji Safi, record holder for playing in four World Cups, three captaincy rounds, and the third‑most capped player in history, performed this gesture. Like Shith Rezaei’s earlier act, it remains in fans’ memories as a symbol of team shame.
Symbol of Accepting Defeat
At the moment of defeat, this gesture continues to serve as a symbol of the team’s shame before its supporters, remaining in the minds of fans.
