Personal manager rules out early Mahdavikia team change

IRNA - Mehdi Mahdavikia will honor his current contract with Hamburg which is to expire in 2007 and has no plans whatsoever to move to another team at the end of the season despite harsh criticism over his performance by HSV management, Mahdavikia's advisor Reza Fazeli said here in an interview with IRNA on Tuesday.

"Mehdi's contract with Hamburg is official and valid until 2007 and he will fulfill it. At the moment he is only thinking about Hamburg and does not think about changing teams," Fazeli added.

He was referring to local news reports last week that Hamburg's team management was contemplating to release Asia's Player of the Year 2003 at the end of this season following Mahdavikia's disappointing Bundesliga performance this season.

"If the player does not agree to an early transfer, then the contract must be fulfilled until 2007," stressed Fazeli who made clear that he and his client felt deeply disturbed by the unusually "severe criticism" of HSV sports manager Dietmar Beiersdorfer and coach Thomas Doll.

Fazeli confirmed that he is due to meet with HSV management this week to discuss the latest developments in Mahdavikia's case.

"We also have a lot to talk about but we don't do it through the press but will discuss it personally," he added.