Ali Shafeizadeh

Ali Shafizadeh (Persian: علی شفیعی زاده) is an Iranian businessman. He is the owner of Iran's Premier Football League club Esteghlal Ahvaz F.C. who he bought in 2002. Over the years he has bought numerous players for substantial fees, including Adriano Alves, Abdul-Wahab Abu Al-Hail and Saša Ilić, and coaches such as Croatian Luka Bonačić and Serbian Srđan Gemaljević. In 2004 Shafizadeh put a $5 million dollar unsuccessful bid to bring Brazilian superstar Rivaldo to the Takhti Stadium.. Shafizadeh sparked much controversy on February 15, 2007 when he announced Esteghlal Ahvaz F.C. were to withdraw from IPL. However, the team appeared two days later in a league match against Persepolis F.C. which ended 1-0 to Esteghlal Ahvaz, dismissing...