Visit of the Russian Minister of Sports and Two Russian Sports Teams in Iran
In an unprecedented event considered as Russia’s attempt to break out of isolation, the Russian Minister of Sports, along with the country’s national wrestling team and its best football team, simultaneously visited Iran.
These trips to Iran occurred while the Islamic Republic is also facing serious warnings from the International Olympic Committee in the sports domain, and it might become isolated like Russia.
Following these visits, Zenit Saint Petersburg, the champion of the last four seasons of Russian football, was defeated 20-0 by Sepahan Isfahan in a friendly match hosted at Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium in front of 35,000 spectators.
In this match, several Russian men and women attended the stadium with their national flag, and the hoisting of the Ukrainian flag by some Sepahan fans was one of the noteworthy aspects of the game.