Esteghlal Striker Diabate to Miss Tehran Derby


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Esteghlal football team striker Cheick Diabate will miss Tehran derby due to a foot injury.

Esteghlal is scheduled to meet Persepolis on Thursday and a loss against its archrival could cost it the title

Diabate was forced to leave the field after 15 minutes due to a foot injury in the match against Naft Masjed Soleyman on Saturday.

“Diabate is expected to be sidelined at least two weeks. He will definitely miss the match against Persepolis,” Esteghlal's doctor Kaveh Sotoudeh announced.

Diabate could also miss matches against Al Shorta of Iraq and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli in the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage.

Persepolis sits top of the Iran Professional League with 40 points after 18 weeks.

Esteghlal is fourth with 32 points.