[62097] Economic crisis at Esteghlal Football Club; David Beckham becomes the first billionaire athlete in the UK
[62097] Economic crisis at Esteghlal Football Club; David Beckham becomes the first billionaire athlete in the UK
The Iranian powerhouse club Esteghlal is facing six complex legal proceedings at FIFA, while in the international sports world, David and Victoria Beckham have crossed the £1 billion mark in their combined wealth.
Legal and economic crisis at Esteghlal club
The Iranian football club Esteghlal has fallen into a severe financial and legal turmoil. According to reports by Iran International Sport, which is associated with a critical line towards the Iranian regime, financial statements published in the "Codal" system reveal that the club is dealing with six heavy legal cases at FIFA and CAS. Total reported liabilities amount to over $3.3 million, in addition to a local lawsuit totaling 288 billion tomans.
The entities Esteghlal Fans Channel and Football Bartar ࡆ League Bartar 360, identified with the club's fans, detail the list of claims including payment demands from foreign players and coaches, among them Pitso Mosimane ($656,000), Kevin Yamga (€815,000), and Almedin Ziljkić (€815,000). According to a report by Iran International, the situation reflects "a type of mismanagement in the past," as a significant portion of the debts was created during the management period of Ahmad Shahriari and Farshid Samiei.
David Beckham: The first billionaire athlete in the UK
Simultaneously, in the international arena, Iran International reports, based on the "Sunday Times," that the couple David and Victoria Beckham have become the first billionaires in the British sports world with a fortune estimated at £1.185 billion. According to the report, the success stems from Beckham's "smart investment" in American soccer, with an emphasis on Inter Miami CF, whose value rose dramatically following the arrival of Lionel Messi.
The report notes that an initial investment of $25 million in a club franchise 12 years ago has now become an asset worth approximately £300 million, alongside the commercial success of his wife's fashion brand, which currently generates over £100 million a year.