Former Team Melli coach Mohammad Mayeli Kohan an outspoken critic of the football establishment in Iran and the corruption surrounding clubs and federations affair has criticized the head of Iran Football Federation Mehdi Taj, saying the federation needs an anti-nepotism policy.

Taj is under pressure for Team Melli’s current position in the table of the FIFA Qualifying rounds in Group C, as Iran sits third up four points adrift of Iraq. Such a situation is a rarity for Team Melli in its qualifying records.

Last week, the contract’s details of Marc Wilmots and his coaching staff with Iran national football team were disclosed. Media reports suggest that the Belgian has agreed to earn an annual salary of USD 3.6 million, however, the Iranian federation had announced that it will pay him and his assistants USD 1.2 million!!

Wilmots replaced Carlos Queiroz as Iran coach but has failed to meet expectations so far.

“I think it’s not Wilmots’s fault but Taj is to be blamed for the situation. Taj, as the person who sits on top of the pyramid, is responsible for what happened,” Mayeli Kohan said in an interview with ISNA.

“Taj has perpetually displayed a lack of knowledge in football over the past few years. His deputy Mohammadreza Saket really doesn’t belong there, too.”

The former Perseplois player and coach added that no matter how much criticism is directed at the football establishment, the bosses do what they want to do and continue on their erroneous ways with impunity and serious lack of questioning and oversight.

Mayeli Kohan replaced Stanko Poklepović in 1995 and led Team Melli in 1996 AFC Asian Cup, where the Persians ranked in third place.