Ali Daei has claimed that his nomination for Head Coach post of Team Melli had been rejected by the Ministry of Sports. He was disqualified by the orders of the Ministry’s security department.  “I don’t know what to say when a person like me is denied his right to be a candidate for Team Melli head coach by the security wing of the Sports Ministry !!”

Daei added, ” Of course, I personally know the reasons for this disqualification.”

The head of the Ministry of Youth and Sports’s Security Department denied any inquiries or comments about Ali Daei. The circumstances of Ali Daei’s presence in Iran’s national football team remain controversial, to say the least. From the front runner, Daei found himself disqualified according to ISNA. After Ali Daei announced in an interview with ISNA that the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and specifically the Ministry’s security wing, opposed his presence in Team Melli’s technical staff, the head of the concerned department of the Ministry dismissed the claims. Sameei, told ISNA, “There was no inquiry about Mr. Daei’s security clearance, nor did the security comment.”

The Security department of the Ministry is charged with watching Iranian Athletes activities specifically during their trips abroad and ensuring compliance with the regime policies and Islamic principles like praying and keeping away from undesired athletes from countries such as Israel. It also sanctions each candidate for leadership and membership of boards of all clubs and federations. The Security department has the final say on when and where important matches and sporting events are hosted.

All athletes need security clearance before representing Iran home or abroad. This practice started decades ago to prevent opposition and terrorist organizations such as MKO from infiltrating Iranian teams and squads.