Footballs Longest Throw: The Story of Alireza Beiranvand

Sat in the local watering hole on a Saturday evening watching the 5:30 pm kick-off with your friends, reminiscing over some obscure footballers bringing with them the happy memories of times gone by. The likes of Adel Taraabt, Hatem Ben Arfa and the one-season wonder Michu, are all skilful players and almost untouchable on their day.

Suddenly somebody mentions that name, ‘Rory Delap’, and abruptly there’s a chill in the air, the fear of facing one of those long, flat, direct throws into your team’s penalty area filling you with despair and angst. Nobody knew what was about to unfold.

This got me thinking, do my friends know about the man with the world record throw in football? I mention the name and I am greeted with looks of confusion. Nobody had heard of Alireza Beiranvand.