Ex-Iran, Persepolis Player Minavand Dies of COVID-19


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Ex-midfielder of Iran national football team and Persepolis Mehrdad Minavand died due to COVID-19 Wednesday night.

He was 45. The former player of Austrian team Sturm Graz was hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU) of the Laleh Hospital in Tehran last week.

Minavand was part of Iran national football team in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup and 1998 FIFA World Cup.

He also played for Iranian club Persepolis in two stints.

Minavand’s teammate Ali Ansarian has also been hospitalized due to the coronavirus since last week, while ex-Iran coach Heshmat Mohajerani was released from the hospital on Tuesday and is now recovering from the virus.