Tag: Mohammad Nabi

Iran Football Federation Legal Chief: $20,000 Bonus Case Is Preliminary, Funds Were Returned

Several media outlets have reported that the judiciary has summoned several Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) managers and personnel over alleged embezzlement and misappropriation of government funds. The dispute concerns bonuses of about US$20,000 per person awarded to FFIRI managers after Iran qualified for the 2022 World Cup. The funds were intended to support FFIRI activities, including grassroots football development and daily expenses; instead, reports allege, they ended up in the pockets of federation president Mehdi Taj, his deputy Mohammad Nabi, and several other officials and board members. Mehr News Agency questioned the FFIRI and sought clarification.

It is worth noting that the bulk of the FFIRI’s expenses comes in the form of government handouts intended to sustain the operation of football activities—a fact that makes questions about the classification, oversight, and disbursement of such funds particularly sensitive.

“Case remains preliminary”

In response to the issuance of an indictment against Mehdi Taj and certain former members of the Board of Directors, the head of the Football Federation’s legal department stressed that the case remains at a preliminary stage.

According to a Mehr News Agency reporter, Mohammad-Ali Ghoddousi addressed the controversy surrounding the indictment of the federation president and former board members, saying: “Regarding the reports published in the mass media concerning the indictment of football officials and figures associated with the Federation, I feel it is necessary to highlight a few points.”

He continued: “The first and most obvious point is this: how does the media proceed to publish news about this matter before the individuals and stakeholders involved have even been formally notified? In other words, while the football officials have received no official or legal notice regarding the case, reports that an indictment has been issued are already circulating in the media. This matter warrants serious consideration.”

Legal status of the FFIRI

Referring to the Federation’s legal status, Ghoddousi stated: “Another significant point concerns the legal status of the Football Federation. The Federation is a non-governmental organization; based on the binding precedents set by the General Board of the Court of Administrative Justice, it falls outside the scope of executive agencies and public non-governmental institutions, and is recognized as a non-governmental institution with an independent legal personality.” He added that this distinction is important for the fundamental nature and legal consequences associated with the operations of the FFIRI and its officials.

The $20,000 bonus

Elaborating on the details, he said: “The sole issue in this case—and I emphasize, solely and exclusively—concerns the $20,000 bonus awarded to the Football Federation’s Board of Directors members. Following the successful qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the then-senior official at the Ministry of Sport and Youth had allocated this sum to the Board members in recognition of their services and as a reward.”

The head of the FFIRI legal department continued: “All administrative and legal procedures regarding this matter within the Football Federation, a non-governmental entity, including the preparation of financial statements, the Board’s resolution, and the General Assembly’s approval, were carried out with precision, clarity, and transparency.”

Return of funds

Ghodousi clarified: “Despite all this, due to objections raised by the General Inspection Organization—and the subsequent complaint filed with the Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office alleging that the Board members could not receive these funds because they were in a position of conflict of interest—the members proceeded to return the exact amount received to the originating account. They did so out of an abundance of caution and to absolve themselves of any potential accusations; thus, the matter is fully resolved in this regard.”

Indictment is preliminary

Regarding the issuance of an indictment, he added: “However, the complaint filed by the General Inspection Organization has—apparently, and I emphasize apparently, based on media reports—resulted in the issuance of an indictment.” Ghoddousi continued: “Naturally, an indictment is a decision that commands respect but is entirely preliminary; it is subject to review at the trial stage—specifically in Criminal Court No. 2—and, like other legal cases and complaints, is open to adjudication in both the court of first instance and the court of appeal. Therefore, for the time being, the matter has—apparently—only reached the stage of indictment issuance within the prosecutor’s office.”

Which law applies?

Addressing the legal basis of the case, the head of the FFIRI legal department remarked: “It appears that when the law is cited in this interview, one must ask: which law? The specific law is not identified. We ought to ask the interviewee: ‘Are you well-versed in the law—specifically the law pertaining to this matter?’”

He added: “If the reference is to Note 5 of Article 5 of the Law on Intensifying Punishment for Perpetrators of Embezzlement, Bribery, and Fraud, I must point out that this note applies to government organizations or institutions managed with continuous state aid; furthermore, Note 5 specifically employs the term ‘Minister.’”

Ghoddousi continued: “This implies that the provision applies to a government employee. Moreover, I emphasize that under Note 5, the Minister may act—meaning the necessary authority is granted to the Minister—yet the Minister is under no obligation to do so.” He clarified: “However, given the Football Federation’s legal status as a non-governmental institution—falling outside the scope of executive agencies or public non-governmental bodies—it appears that this provision and its subject matter should not, and cannot, extend to the Football Federation or its officials.”

Concluding the first part of his remarks, he said: “I remain at the service of the dear people of Iran. Good day.”

Audit and ethics findings

Continuing, Ghodousi noted: “There is another important point I must raise: the State Audit Court has examined the matter and, based on legal grounds and reasoning, found no evidence of any violation.” He added: “Similarly, the Football Federation’s Ethics Committee investigated the issue and, finding no violation, issued a ruling of acquittal.”

It also bears mentioning that the FFIRI—at least as a matter of ethics and transparency—has never publicly disclosed this case at any point since 2022. It was investigative journalism that brought the matter to light, which raises the question of why the FFIRI and its legal department failed to disclose both the incident and the subsequent investigation.

News: Team Melli in South Africa

The current Team Melli camp has been joined by additional two previously unannounced coaches from Brazil. Mohammad Nabi , the manager of Team Melli said these two coaches are recruited form Corinthians club of Brazil and will be replacing the departed Tony Simoez who reigned his post a couple of months back. The two unnamed coaches are added to the coaching staff team compromising of the recently recruited Majid Saleh , Oceano , Aghajanian, and Gasper.

On the other hand , the mystery of the team that was supposed to be facing Team Melli in a friendly match was finally unveiled hours before the kickoff. South Africa’s Moroka Swallows club will be the first opponent of Team Melli on Tuesday morning.

Team Melli officials refused to name the opponent teams until the last moments preferring secrecy to keep Team Melli rivals in Group F of the FIFA World cup in suspense and reducing the possibility of them observing Team Melli in action (…)

Today’s match will be the first test of the conditioning of the Iranian players. Much of the work carried out in South Africa was focused on the physical side to prepare Team Melli against the teams with better physical conditions and endurance. Mohammad Nabi re-emphasized the previous statements by Queiroz that this camp was set up for the domestic league players of Team Melli addressing their shortcomings in running , physical aspects and building body strength. Players in European leagues, do not need such training according to Queiroz.

The names of the other two or possibly three opponents of Team Melli in friendly matches remains a mystery.

Other major development of the cam p came from Queiroz who has decided to cut short the camp duration by 5 days. Team Melli coach was not very pleased by the start where he had to travel to Johannesburg with only 11 players out of 28 he selected for the camp.

The reason for cutting short the camp duration was offered by Mohammad Nabi . He said” Iranian players are very emotional lot and the long time away from their families is disturbing them ! In order to take some deserved rest and be with their families, we have decided to cut short the camp by a few days”

Mohammad Nabi also emphasized that the players who did not join Team Melli on the flight to Johannesburg are mot to be blamed and held accountable for their absence. They were under instruction from their clubs and hence are not culpable. He stressed that there is a big difference between an act such as Hadi Aghili when he left the camp or Mojtaba Jabbari who decided he will retire, both unilateral and personal decisions and the players of Team Melli held back by their clubs.

"7 preparations games for Team Melli" Mohammad Nabi

The secretary general of FFIRI has mentioned that Team Melli will have 7 preparations game from now until the start of the World Cup. Mehdi Mohammad Nabi , in a statement to ISNA said " During our South African training camp , we will play against 4 club sides , while later on we will be facing Belarus , Montenegro , Trinidad & Tobago and Angola." In regard to the vacant position of assistant coach that was created by the sudden departure of Omid Namazi and the resignation of Simoez , Mohammad Nabi said "Kaffashian and myslef had a meeting with Queiroz in which the issue of assistant coach was discussed. He (Queiroz) is still looking at some candidates and shall inform us on his decision shortly. I believe he is looking at two assistant coaches from Brazil. There is no sign or any indication that he will select an Iranian assistant coach anytime soon" When questioned about and Argentinian coach for Team Melli while Iran is facing Argentina in the World Cup , Mohammad Nabi said "he is only a physical Trainer (!!!)". Do we understand from Mohammad Nabi that a Physical Trainer is not an important or significant post in a football team coaching staff?    

Yet another setback for Team Melli!

Tehran. The Secretary General of the Iranian football federation announced the cancellation of  Team Melli training camp in South Africa. The  camp was arranged by Carlos Queiroz and approved by the federation administration however, it was abruptly cancelled like the last camp that was supposed to be held in Portugal. Team Melli was suppose to play a friendly match in South Africa as well. In a statement to the press, Mohammad Nabi expressed his regret and disappointment for this cancellation , while reminding Queiroz that the preparation for the World Cup should not be halted by any means (...) !"We will arrange another camp , the site in not known yet , but we need to keep the momentum going and do not stop the Team Melli preparation program. It really does not matter where the camp is , be it in Azadi ,  in the park , or Taleghani avenue or even in Queiroz back garden (...), the schedule is set for the training camp is set and the training will continue." Mehdi Mohammad Nabi insisted. "Of course, we have a few players playing abroad. I will personally travel to those countries and request the players to join the camp even if we have to pay the penalties for their absence." Mohammad Nabi boasted. Team Melli camp is set to start on the 11th of April 2014. The location is not known, but it is highly doubtful if Queiroz back-garden can accommodate about 30 players and the coaching staff that was suggested by Mohammad Nabi.