Mojahed Khaziravi
Encyclopedia
Mojahed Khaziravi is an Iran
ian football
player currently playing for Foolad F.C. in Iran's Premier Football League
.
His career took a dramatic turnover in June 2002 when he got arrested by Iranian police for frequenting a brothel in Tehran
. At the time, Khaziravi was becoming a major football icon in Iran after significantly helping the national team
in their failed qualification campaign for World Cup 2002.
Like many of Iran's great football talents, Khaziravi is a native of Khuzestan and like most players from this region of the country, he was known for his speed and dribbling skills. His main position was wingback but he could also play as an winger like his fellow Khuzestani Hossein Kaebi. He is right-footed.
championship. His performances during that season attracted Iran's national team manager, Miroslav Blazevic
and he eventually got his first international appearance on July 22, 2001 against Bosnia
.
The next season saw the league becoming officially professional and was named the Iranian Premier League. Again Khaziravi was instrumental in the Esteghlal's second place finish to their rivals, Persepolis FC
.
But during that same season, the young talent almost reached national stardom. His presences became more and more influential for the national team as Iran was battling for a spot in the World Cup. After losing a critical game against underdogs Bahrain
on what became one of Iranian football's darkest days (Khaziravi mysteriously remained on the bench for this game), the team had to go through qualification playoffs. The Iranians first played the UAE with Khaziravi being instrumental in both matches. Their next opponents were the Republic of Ireland
. On the first leg in Dublin, Ireland beat Iran 2-0. Iran ended up losing 2-1 on aggregate after winning 1-0 on the return leg.
By spring of 2002, Khaziravi had become an automatic choice for the national team and played friendlies against Venezuela
(against whom he scored his only international goal) and Algeria
. In addition to his national team success, he was on the shortlists of many European
scouts. It had been speculated that Esteghlal agents were negotiating a deal for him with the German club Hansa Rostock.
But in June, the youngster was caught by Tehran police in a brothel and was arrested (prostitution is strictly forbidden in Iran). His arrest initially saw him receive a very harsh punishment of 99 lashes and he was handed a five-year suspension from playing with the national side and a three-year suspension from playing with his club Esteghlal. Needless to say, this was the beginning of the end to a very promising career for the then 22 year old. Later his suspension was reduced and was not lashed either.
, but it never worked out. Things quickly turned in Mojahed's favor as his bans from Iranian football both were reduced to 20 months. In February 2004, Mojahed Khaziravi was once again eligible to play football for both club and country. Reports suggested that he would replace Alireza Nikbakht Vahedi in Esteghlal, after the latter had departed to play in the UAE league. Unfortunately, accumulated absence from professional football and injuries had strongly affected the winger's form and he missed most of the action until he was finally let go by Esteghlal in 2005.
For the 2005-2006 season, Khaziravi returned to professional action in his region of Khuzestan with the champions of the previous season Foolad FC
in Ahvaz
. Because of the departure of the team's star, Eman Mobali, to the UAE league, the team could not repeat its dominant performance of 2004-2005 and could only manage to finish 8th in the IPL.
He also played in the 2006 Asian Champions League, starting all six matches and scoring one goal, in Foolad's poor overall performance and early exit in the first round.
For the 2006-2007 season, it was rumoured that he would make a comeback to his hometown team Sanat Naft of Abadan in case they were promoted to the IPL. Sanat Naft was not able to gain promotion, and Khaziravi remained in Foolad.
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player currently playing for Foolad F.C. in Iran's Premier Football League
Iran's Premier Football League
The Iran Pro League , is a professional football league competition for clubs located at the highest level of the Iranian football league system.The league system resembles the system being used in England currently...
.
His career took a dramatic turnover in June 2002 when he got arrested by Iranian police for frequenting a brothel in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
. At the time, Khaziravi was becoming a major football icon in Iran after significantly helping the national team
Iran national football team
The national football team of Iran represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran...
in their failed qualification campaign for World Cup 2002.
Like many of Iran's great football talents, Khaziravi is a native of Khuzestan and like most players from this region of the country, he was known for his speed and dribbling skills. His main position was wingback but he could also play as an winger like his fellow Khuzestani Hossein Kaebi. He is right-footed.
Club career
| Season | Team | Country | Division | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/02 | Esteghlal | 1 | 13 | 1 | |
| 04/05 | Esteghlal | 1 | 5 | 0 | |
| 05/06 | Foolad | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 06/07 | Foolad | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 07/08 | Foolad | 2 | ? | 0 | |
| 08/09 Persian Gulf Cup 2008-09 The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2008/09 football season. This season will be the 8th season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League . Persepolis are the defending champions.-Teams:... |
Foolad | 1 | 5 | 0 | |
| 09/10 | Foolad | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Rise and Fall
Khaziravi started playing for his hometown Abadan's main club, Sanat Naft FC. At 19, he was undeniably the team's star but the club was relegated from top division in Iran. That's when he made the switch to national giants Esteghlal for the 2000-2001 season. This year proved to be critical for the young wingback as he helped his team win the last AzadeganIran Football's 1st Division
The Azadegan League is the second-highest division overall in the Iranian football league system after the Iran Pro League.Up until 2001 the league was the top football league in Iran, but that changed when the Iranian Football Federation decided to start a professional league...
championship. His performances during that season attracted Iran's national team manager, Miroslav Blazevic
Miroslav Blaževic
Miroslav "Ćiro" Blažević is a Bosnian Croat football manager. He is the current head coach of Mes Kerman in Iran Pro League....
and he eventually got his first international appearance on July 22, 2001 against Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team is the national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, governed by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
.
The next season saw the league becoming officially professional and was named the Iranian Premier League. Again Khaziravi was instrumental in the Esteghlal's second place finish to their rivals, Persepolis FC
Persepolis FC
Persepolis Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Tehran. Persepolis F.C. is the football club of the multisport Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club....
.
But during that same season, the young talent almost reached national stardom. His presences became more and more influential for the national team as Iran was battling for a spot in the World Cup. After losing a critical game against underdogs Bahrain
Bahrain national football team
The Bahrain national football team is the national team of the Kingdom of Bahrain and is controlled by the Bahrain Football Association; it was founded in 1951 and joined FIFA in 1966. They have never reached the finals of the World Cup, but have twice come within one match of doing so...
on what became one of Iranian football's darkest days (Khaziravi mysteriously remained on the bench for this game), the team had to go through qualification playoffs. The Iranians first played the UAE with Khaziravi being instrumental in both matches. Their next opponents were the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
. On the first leg in Dublin, Ireland beat Iran 2-0. Iran ended up losing 2-1 on aggregate after winning 1-0 on the return leg.
By spring of 2002, Khaziravi had become an automatic choice for the national team and played friendlies against Venezuela
Venezuela national football team
The Venezuela national football team is the national football team of Venezuela and is controlled by the Federación Venezolana de Fútbol. It is nicknamed La Vinotinto , because of the traditional burgundy color of their shirts....
(against whom he scored his only international goal) and Algeria
Algeria national football team
The Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
. In addition to his national team success, he was on the shortlists of many European
European ethnic groups
The ethnic groups in Europe are the various ethnic groups that reside in the nations of Europe. European ethnology is the field of anthropology focusing on Europe....
scouts. It had been speculated that Esteghlal agents were negotiating a deal for him with the German club Hansa Rostock.
But in June, the youngster was caught by Tehran police in a brothel and was arrested (prostitution is strictly forbidden in Iran). His arrest initially saw him receive a very harsh punishment of 99 lashes and he was handed a five-year suspension from playing with the national side and a three-year suspension from playing with his club Esteghlal. Needless to say, this was the beginning of the end to a very promising career for the then 22 year old. Later his suspension was reduced and was not lashed either.
Signs of a comeback
During his suspension term, Khaziravi sought for opportunities to play outside of Iran, notably in GreeceGreece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, but it never worked out. Things quickly turned in Mojahed's favor as his bans from Iranian football both were reduced to 20 months. In February 2004, Mojahed Khaziravi was once again eligible to play football for both club and country. Reports suggested that he would replace Alireza Nikbakht Vahedi in Esteghlal, after the latter had departed to play in the UAE league. Unfortunately, accumulated absence from professional football and injuries had strongly affected the winger's form and he missed most of the action until he was finally let go by Esteghlal in 2005.
For the 2005-2006 season, Khaziravi returned to professional action in his region of Khuzestan with the champions of the previous season Foolad FC
Foolad FC
Foolad Khuzestan Football Club is an Iranian football club, based in Ahvaz, Khuzestan. It was named Foolad partially because it is funded by the industry in Khuzestan...
in Ahvaz
Ahvaz
-History:For a more comprehensive historical treatment of the area, see the history section of Khūzestān Province.-Ancient history:Ahvaz is the anagram of "Avaz" and "Avaja" which appear in Darius's epigraph...
. Because of the departure of the team's star, Eman Mobali, to the UAE league, the team could not repeat its dominant performance of 2004-2005 and could only manage to finish 8th in the IPL.
He also played in the 2006 Asian Champions League, starting all six matches and scoring one goal, in Foolad's poor overall performance and early exit in the first round.
For the 2006-2007 season, it was rumoured that he would make a comeback to his hometown team Sanat Naft of Abadan in case they were promoted to the IPL. Sanat Naft was not able to gain promotion, and Khaziravi remained in Foolad.