Tag: Persepolis

Milad Mohammadi joins Belarusian Club.

After two seasons with Persepolis, Milad Mohammadi has opted not to extend his contract, instead embarking on another European chapter by signing with FC Vitebsk in the Belarusian Premier League.

The Iranian defender was officially unveiled by the Belarusian club on Tuesday, July 20. In his first interview with Vitebsk's media, Mohammadi was asked about his long-term international ambitions and did not shy away from setting his sights high. "I will wait for the World Cup in four years, and my motivation will not disappear," he stated. When questioned about competing in European tournaments and adapting to the club's home venues, he replied with conviction: "That's what I want—I'm ready."

Mohammadi, who was part of Iran's 2026 World Cup squad and delivered an acceptable performance on that stage, now brings his experience to a club with a modest history. Founded in 1960, FC Vitebsk are a mid-to-lower table side in the Belarusian top flight; they finished 12th among 16 teams last season. While they have never claimed a league title, they did lift the Belarusian Cup once, back in 1998. The team plays its home fixtures at the Vitebsky Central Sport Complex in Vitebsk, a venue with a capacity of 8,144.

Mohammadi's move also carries historical significance, as he becomes the first known Iranian player to compete in the Belarusian league. The host city of Vitebsk, located in northeastern Belarus, is the country's fourth-largest urban center.

Renowned for his blistering pace on the left flank, Mohammadi began his professional journey at Rah Ahan before embarking on a nomadic European and international career. He went on to represent Akhmat Grozny (Russia), Gent (Belgium), AEK Athens (Greece), and Adana Demirspor (Turkey), before returning to Iran to join Persepolis in 2024.

"Fear, Favoritism, and Failure" – Abedini's Brutal Verdict on Iran's World Cup Collapse

Amir Abedini, a veteran football administrator with years of experience at Persepolis, the Football Federation, and across various sports and political roles, has emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of Team Melli's World Cup campaign. In an exclusive interview with IRNA's sports reporter, Abedini delivers a damning analysis of Iran's failure to advance to the Round of 32, pointing to a lack of planning, technical incompetence, and a culture of fear that permeates the national team setup. According to Abedini, had the head coach shown even a modicum of boldness, Iran would now be preparing for a showdown with Switzerland—not packing their bags for Tehran.

Q: Two days after Team Melli's elimination, we want to analyze the reasons for failing to reach the second round. Is three points from three matches and an unbeaten campaign acceptable, or is it a failure?

A: When we achieve a positive result, we bask in the glory and everyone rushes to congratulate one another. We convince ourselves that everything is fine. But God forbid we fail—then we pivot sharply in the opposite direction. We blame the earth and the sky, fabricating excuses for local consumption. We must learn to be self-critical before pointing fingers at external factors. That is where growth begins.

I believe we need fundamental changes and developments in our football. Perhaps, if someone with real decision-making power steps forward, they will make the tough choices for the future. Time is passing quickly, and in four years, we will be at the World Cup again. The question is whether we will be any better prepared.

Q: You haven't explicitly stated whether the team's performance was appropriate or not.

A: I have a question that I have yet to find an answer to: Why are we so easily satisfied with such results? We are capable of so much more than celebrating mediocrity. Do we truly want to qualify for a 48-team tournament and then be content with a ranking below 32 teams? Should we really pat ourselves on the back simply because we remained unbeaten? That is not success—it is delusion.

Q: In your opinion, what are the reasons we couldn't go one step further?

A: The national team's management and organization were fundamentally flawed. The Football Federation's structure is contaminated at its core—contaminated by interference from those who have no business meddling in football affairs. I am referring to certain individuals ( Abedini is referring to the Minister of Sports) who have imposed their will on the federation, dictating terms like, "If this happens, we won't go to the tournament," or "If such and such occurs, we will go." Federations are specialized entities. Iranian football is rich with expertise and elite talent. If we fail to utilize them in development or management, the problem lies at the top, with those who cannot recognize talent. If anyone claims there are no experts in Iranian football, I will tell them they are wrong. We have the knowledge and the experience, we simply lack the will to use them effectively.

Q: What should the Football Federation have done that it didn't do?

A: Did the Football Federation, months before the tournament, establish a dedicated headquarters or committee for the World Cup? If they did, what tangible operations were carried out? If it was effective, why did we face such a chaotic margin of error? I acknowledge that the country has been grappling with critical conditions, but let's not forget: we fought a madman for eight years—a regime that used chemical weapons and unleashed unimaginable horrors upon us. Yet we lived, we traveled, we held competitions, and we won championships. Adversity is no excuse for incompetence.

Q: At the beginning of your interview, you mentioned that when we fail, we weave together earth and sky to justify our shortcomings. Can you provide concrete examples from this World Cup?

A: This pattern has repeated itself countless times, but let me give you a specific example from this tournament. Before we ask why the penalty was missed, let's discuss why Shoja's goal was ruled offside. We fail to see our own shortcomings. We leave some of our greatest players at home, pinning all our hopes on Mr. Taremi. Look at the penalty moment: Taremi stands behind the ball, and instead of concentrating and taking a deep breath, he is adjusting his eyebrows. A player of his caliber, with the nation's hopes resting on his shoulders, and his focus is on his appearance? Watch his body language. The result? A feeble penalty that was easily saved. The Egyptian goalkeeper made mistakes—many of them, but we couldn't capitalize. It's as if we didn't want to.

Q: Your phrase "we didn't want to" carries deep meaning. It suggests the technical staff was more concerned with preserving their unbeaten record than with winning.

A: Exactly. We could have qualified for the next round without relying on other teams' results, but we squandered every opportunity. Should we have drawn the first match? No—we should have put all our concentration and strategy into defeating New Zealand. That was the winnable game. And look at the final 10 minutes against Egypt—when Ghalenoei finally allowed the players to express themselves, we pushed Egypt back. But why only in the final minutes? He was afraid. He was terrified. Why bring on Alireza Jahanbakhsh in the 90th minute? If you need attacking speed, why not introduce him in the 80th minute? Why wasn't Ghaedi given meaningful minutes? It was this fear and panic that caused our defenders to remain static, playing only 10 minutes of actual football in the second half. The coach's caution was our undoing.

Q: Are you suggesting we could have beaten both Belgium and Egypt? Weren't they formidable opponents?

A: Fortunately, we haven't contracted Alzheimer's—we haven't forgotten Ghalenoei's own words. After the draw, he was ecstatic, confidently declaring that Iran could advance from the group stage. Before the tournament, he promised at least five points. Was Belgium the same formidable force we expected? And was Egypt truly a solid team when they had to withdraw Mohamed Salah due to injury?

A. Let me be blunt: if Firouz Karimi had been on the bench, he would have made bolder decisions. He understands football and would have seized the opportunity to guide this team into the top 20. If the former Team Melli coach, Maeli-Kohan, were still in charge, he would have instilled an attacking mentality. Our technical staff focuses only on their own substitutions, but the likes of Firouz Karimi, Carlos Queiroz, Stanko, Ivic, and Skocic all had the ability to read and react to the opposition's tactical shifts. Egypt effectively said to us, "Come and score if you can." And we didn't. After the match, we were left stunned, once again blaming God for our failures, as if He alone is responsible for our lack of preparation.

Q: Do you believe the decisions of the technical staff were a primary reason for the elimination?

A: Absolutely. We had zeal and grit, but we lacked a coherent plan. Here's a question: Can anyone explain why Roozbeh Cheshmi was taken to the World Cup? He was injured! Couldn't we have taken a young, promising player in his place? Are we taking tourists on a recreational tour? This is elite sport, even if you are Hassan Yazdani, World and Olympic Champion, if you are injured, you cannot compete. Why waste a valuable squad spot on a player who cannot contribute?

Q: What do you think was the real reason for selecting Cheshmi and other questionable choices?

A: When Jahanbakhsh, as captain, was unable to attend a particular ceremony, they substituted him with Cheshmi. Now, they had to return the favor. They felt obliged to take Cheshmi—even if he had to be carried on crutches. This is not selection based on merit; it is selection based on patronage.

  • Abedini Exposes the Rot: "We Took Tourists, Not Footballers, to the World Cup"

Q: Are you referring to the internal politics of the Football Federation?

A: I have already spoken on this matter. Those who need to understand, already know exactly what I mean.

Q: You have addressed both managerial and technical deficiencies. Frankly, do you believe Iran should retain Ghalenoei or appoint a new head coach? For context, the South Korean coach, despite securing three points, offered his resignation after elimination.

A: I believe we need changes and development in our football. If decision-makers act wisely, they will plan for the future, as time passes quickly and in four years we will be at the World Cup again. I looked at the map and saw that everyone else had advanced. We are Iran; we shine on that map. We will qualify under any circumstances, but we must plan strategically once and for all. For 20 years, we have dreamed of reaching the World Cup, and for 20 years, we have hoped to reach the next round. Look at Japan, they have built a sustainable footballing culture. We should follow their example.

Q: Do you anticipate any changes?

A: Change is inevitable. The mentality must shift; innovation and planning are essential. You cannot continue running football in this haphazard manner. I believe changes will come, because they must.

Persepolis leads Persian Gulf Pro League

Esteghlal Tehran squandered a golden opportunity to claim top spot in the Persian Gulf Pro League after being held to a goalless draw by lowly Zob Ahan in Esfahan during Round 17.

Earlier on Friday, Persepolis secured a crucial 2–1 victory over league leaders Sepahan in a top-of-the-table clash at Shahr-e Qods Stadium. After a goalless first half, Persepolis sprang to life in the second period. Their Uzbek winger Oston Oʻrinov broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, and compatriot Igor Sergeyev doubled the lead in the 72nd. Sepahan managed a consolation deep into added time, with Ricardo Alves converting a penalty in the 90+13th minute.

Following that result, Esteghlal would have leapfrogged into first place on goal difference had they defeated Zob Ahan, but their lackluster performance saw the chance slip away.

On Thursday, Tractor coaches by former Team Melli coach, Dragan Skocic, delivered an impressive 4–1 victory over Mes Rafsanjan at the Yadegar-e Emam Stadium in Tabriz, lifting themselves into second place ahead of Friday's fixtures. The goals came from Mohammad Hosseinzadeh (13’), an own goal by Milad Mirzazadeh (56’), Mohammad Ebrahimi Esmaeilifar (76’), and Amir Arsalan Motahari Drodzek (84’).

All matches in the Persian Gulf Pro League continue to be played behind closed doors due to security concerns following recent unrest in Iran.


Clash of Styles and Spirits: Iran's Pedigree vs. Uzbekistan's Momentum in Al Ain Final

The stage is set for a compelling final in the Al Ain International Cup, as Team Melli of Iran prepares to lock horns with a resurgent Uzbekistan at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. While the FIFA rankings and historical prestige heavily favor the Iranians, the narrative on the pitch tells a vastly different and more intriguing story.

The Road to the Final: A Tale of Two Semis

The semi-finals provided a stark contrast in team morale and performance. Iran labored to a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, a team ranked 77th in the world, before narrowly securing their final berth with a 5-4 victory in a penalty shootout. The performance was characterized by a disjointed offense, poor ball distribution, and a palpable lack of creativity. In worrying signs for Iranian fans, star striker Mehdi Taremi was effectively neutralized, while domestic league top scorer Amirhossein Hossenzadeh failed to test the Cape Verdean goalkeeper.

In the other semi-final, Uzbekistan delivered a masterclass, dismantling a strong Egyptian side with a commanding 2-0 victory. The White Wolves displayed a modern, fluid brand of football that their opponents struggled to contain. Their performance was a symphony of coordinated pressing, incisive passing, and clinical finishing—a world away from the disjointed display from Team Melli.

The Uzbek Juggernaut: Led by a Familiar Foe

The undisputed architect of Uzbekistan's victory was Oston Urunov. The Persepolis winger was in scintillating form, scoring a well-taken brace and terrorizing the Egyptian defense throughout the match. Urunov’s performance was a showcase of offensive prowess that the Iranian forward line conspicuously lacked; he was unlucky not to have scored four, with one effort cannoning off the woodwork and another denied by a spectacular save.

His display serves as a poignant reminder to the Iranian federation and fans: the quality exists within the Persian Gulf Pro League, but harnessing it for the national team remains a significant challenge. For Uzbekistan, Urunov symbolizes a new generation of technically gifted and confident players who excel in their defined roles within a coherent tactical system.

Iran's Identity Crisis: System over Stars?

On paper, Iran, ranked 21st in the world, should be the clear favorite. They boast a squad featuring stars from Europe's top leagues and a pedigree that includes consistent World Cup appearances. However, football is not played on paper. The recent form presents a grim picture for Team Melli, who are winless in their last five encounters against Uzbekistan, including a 1-0 loss in Tashkent in their most recent meeting.

The core issue appears to be systemic. Under the current coaching regime, the team often looks less than the sum of its talented parts. There is a reliance on individual brilliance to break down opponents, which, when it fails—as it did against Cape Verde—leaves the team looking rudderless. The midfield often fails to control the tempo or provide a link between defense and attack, leaving isolated forwards to feed on scraps.

The prevailing mentality is also under scrutiny. If a goalless draw against a lower-ranked opponent is perceived as an acceptable result, it raises questions about the ambition and attacking philosophy driving the team forward.

The Final Verdict: A Clash of Contradictions

This final is a classic clash of contradiction: historic reputation versus current form; individual stars versus a cohesive unit; cautious pragmatism versus confident, attacking football.

While Uzbekistan enters the match beaming with confidence and a clear tactical identity, Iran seems burdened by expectation and a lack of a defined playing style. For Team Melli to lift the trophy, they must engineer a massive turnaround—something they have shown little evidence of being capable of in recent times. Relying on the defensive solidity that held firm against Cape Verde will not be enough against a multifaceted Uzbek attack.

Prediction:

Based on the evidence of the semi-finals and recent head-to-head records, the momentum is firmly with Uzbekistan. They play as a confident, modern team that believes in its system and its players. Iran, in contrast, looks fragile and creatively bankrupt. A draw within regulation time, potentially leading to another nerve-wracking penalty shootout, seems the most optimistic outcome for Iran. On current form, however, Uzbekistan are the clear favorites to be crowned champions, poised to prove that a well-drilled team with a clear vision can triumph over a collection of individuals struggling for an identity.

Legendary Croatian Coach Branko Ivanković Announces Retirement

Zagreb, Croatia – According to a report from Croatian sports media outlet Sportklub, Branko Ivanković, one of Croatia's most successful international coaches, has decided to retire after a storied coaching career spanning more than three decades.

The 71-year-old, who will turn 72 soon, recently gathered a group of close colleagues he worked with during his tenures in Oman and China and announced his decision at a luncheon. After years of dedication to the touchline for both clubs and national teams, Ivanković stated it was time to rest and prioritize his personal life.

"Enough is enough," Ivanković told tportal. "These years are no longer the time to travel and wander around the world. Now I want to spend more time with my family, friends, and of course, myself."

A Storied and Peripatetic Career

Ivanković's managerial journey has been both long and illustrious. His career includes leading clubs such as Varteks (now Varaždin), Rijeka, Dinamo Zagreb, Hannover 96 (Germany), Persepolis (Iran), Shandong Luneng (China), Al Ahli, Al Wahda, and Al Ittifaq (Saudi Arabia).

His success was not limited to the club level. He also managed four different national teams, most notably serving as an assistant coach to Miroslav Blažević when Croatia sensationally won the bronze medal at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.

His achievements cemented his reputation as a trophy-winner. He secured league titles with Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia), Shandong Luneng (China), and most notably with Iran's Persepolis, where he led the team to five consecutive league championships. This historic feat introduced the term "Gelat" (meaning a quintuple of consecutive titles) into the lexicon of Iranian football.

A Gentleman and a Reformer in Iran

Ivanković first arrived in Iran as an assistant to the legendary Croatian coach Miroslav "Ćiro" Blažević. After Blažević's departure, Ivanković was offered the head coach position of Team Melli, a role that would define his legacy.

During his tenure, he was widely respected for his dignified, gentlemanly demeanor. He navigated the complex politics of Iranian football with skill and stood firmly against corrupt elements with grace and integrity. A testament to his principled stance was his refusal to succumb to pressure for favoritism towards the two traditional Tehran giants, Persepolis and Esteghlal. Ivanković insisted on selecting players for the national team based solely on competence and merit.

He is considered the first coach in Iran's modern history to break the duopoly of these two clubs on national team selection. In a landmark shift, the 2004 Asian Cup squad featured more players from Foolad Khuzestan than from any other club—a previously unheard-of practice that underscored his commitment to meritocracy.

In his dealings with the media, he was consistently respectful, maintaining his positions without being controversial or forceful, which further earned him the admiration of fans and journalists alike.

A Lasting Legacy in Iranian Football

Ivanković's connection with Iran is a defining chapter of his career. He was first appointed head coach of the Iranian national team in January 2002, leading the U-23 side to a gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan later that year.

Despite his popularity, his initial tenure was brief. After being replaced in late 2002, public and media pressure led to his reappointment in October 2003.

Under his leadership, Team Melli flourished:

  • He guided Iran to a third-place finish at the 2004 AFC Asian Cup.
  • He successfully secured Iran's qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

At the 2006 World Cup, Iran faced a tough group. After narrow losses to Mexico and Portugal, they earned a single point in a 1-1 draw with Angola, finishing at the bottom of their group.

Following the tournament, a change in the Iranian Football Federation's leadership led to his replacement. This move, deemed political interference by FIFA, resulted in a temporary suspension for Iran's football federation.

Despite the World Cup exit, his record with Iran remains impressive. Over two spells, he managed 56 games, winning 33, drawing 14, and losing only 9, giving him a remarkable winning percentage of 58.93%.

With his retirement, the football world bids farewell to a true globetrotting coach whose tactical acumen, unwavering principles, and gentlemanly conduct left a lasting mark from Europe to Asia.

FFIRI Suspension of Alireza Beiranvand includes exclusion from Team Melli selection.

Mashhad, Iran – Mehdi Taj, President of the Iranian Football Federation, confirmed today that goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand will not join the national team for the foreseeable future due to an ongoing suspension.

The announcement came during a press briefing on the sidelines of the East Azerbaijan Football Board meeting, where Taj also addressed the selection of Mashhad as the host city for the upcoming Tractor vs. Esteghlal match.

Beiranvand’s Suspension: Rules and Next Steps

Regarding Beiranvand’s case, Taj emphasized adherence to regulations while leaving room for further review:

  • The goalkeeper is currently suspended, with half of the penalty still to be served.
  • The Appeals Committee’s detailed 11-page ruling remains open for scrutiny.
  • The option to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is available, per standard statutes.

"While we respect the disciplinary process, the federation is actively working to resolve the situation," Taj said. "All stakeholders are welcome to present their perspectives formally."

Commitment to Governance and Future Success

Taj reiterated the federation’s focus on upholding governance standards while supporting teams:
"Our priority is to ensure fair conditions for both the national team and clubs. We remain optimistic about Iranian football’s continued progress."

The statement concluded with no specified timeline for Beiranvand’s return.

The Controversial Suspension: A Year-Long Saga of Delays

Alireza Beiranvand's suspension stems from a breach of contract complaint filed by his former club, Persepolis, over a year ago. Despite the straightforward nature of the case, the Football Federation (FFIRI) and its Disciplinary Committee demonstrated puzzling inertia—repeatedly deferring proceedings while Beiranvand completed an entire league season unaffected.

This extraordinary delay in resolving a contractual dispute raises serious concerns:

  • Transparency Issues: Why did a clear-cut case require 12+ months to adjudicate?
  • Selective Enforcement: Was the timing influenced by external pressures or political considerations within Iranian football?
  • Precedent Setting: The federation’s eventual acknowledgment of Beiranvand’s contractual breach—after such protracted deliberations—undermines confidence in its judicial processes.

Critics argue the federation’s sluggishness reflects either institutional incompetence or deliberate stalling to accommodate vested interests. Either way, the handling of this case has become emblematic of systemic governance flaws that demand urgent reform.


Cultural and Social Anomalies in Iranian Football

Introduction

Cultural anomalies and social misdemeanor tensions in Iranian football have long posed significant challenges for cultural and social experts and activists. Various committees within the football federation have been tasked with addressing these issues and reducing tensions.

The Role of Committees

  1. Ethical Committee: Responsible for defining regulations related to ethical, and cultural issues, and fair play, as well as overseeing their implementation and addressing non-compliance cases.
  2. Fair Play and Social Responsibility Committee: Focuses on establishing regulations related to cultural issues, fair play, and supervising their implementation within the football federation structure.

Cultural Integration in Clubs

Many Iranian clubs have incorporated cultural aspects alongside sports, often appointing a "Cultural Deputy" to manage cultural and social affairs within the clubs.

Challenges and Questions

Despite the existence of these committees and roles, questions arise regarding the effectiveness of their measures in recent years:

  • What fundamental measures have been taken to address cultural and social issues within Iranian football?
  • How successful have these committees and administrators been in curbing misbehavior and enhancing the image of domestic football?

Recent Incidents

Recent events involving players and coaches in prominent Iranian teams have highlighted ongoing challenges:

  • Danial Esmaili-Far and Javad Nekonam's incidents raised concerns about player conduct and its impact on fans and the football community.

Impact and Reflection

The behavior of players and coaches on the field often mirrors the conduct of spectators, emphasizing the need for positive role modeling and cultural awareness within football.

Repeat Offenders

There are too many footballers and coaches who misbehave regularly with the fear of being punished, however, two of them have to be singled out as a prime example :

Javad Nekounam, a prominent figure known for his record as the most capped player for Team Melli and a former Captain, has consistently attracted media attention since transitioning to coaching after retiring as a player. His tenure, starting from Foolad Khuzestan, has been marred by frequent involvement in contentious incidents, including instances of unprofessional behavior, indiscretion, and verbal altercations.


Shoja'a Khalilzadeh: A player known for his misconduct both on and off the field. Recently, he has engaged in altercations with the press, hurling insults during interviews and displaying tantrums. His behavior has escalated to the point where he openly challenged the disciplinary committee of the federation to impose a ban on him.

Calls for Action

  1. Behavior Management: Emphasizes the importance of managing emotions and behaviors through expert guidance and club interventions.
  2. Club Responsibility: Urges clubs to take proactive measures in addressing misconduct before federation intervention becomes necessary.

The Need for Transparency

There is a call for greater transparency regarding the cultural initiatives and their impact:

  • Clubs and federations should clarify the measures taken in cultural fields and assess their effectiveness in fostering positive change.

Conclusion

While acknowledging challenges and weaknesses in disciplinary rules, there is an expectation for clubs and federations to prioritize cultural integration and responsibility to set positive examples within the football community.
Ever changing CEO's of the clubs, financial instabilities, poor administrators and weak management of FFIRI has made the task of improving the culture of football so much more difficult, if not impossible.

Worrying league forms of Team Melli goalkeepers.

In the latest round of the Persian Gulf League, the spotlight fell squarely on the performance of Team Melli's goalkeepers, with their errors leading to conceding goals that should have been easily avoided.

The Premier League witnessed rare occurrences this week, with individual mistakes and bizarre own goals becoming the talk of the town. Alireza Rezaei of Nasaji Mazandaran was the first to make headlines, allowing a seemingly innocuous ball slip through his legs in the dying moments of the game against Naft Abadan.

However, the most alarming incident unfolded during Sepahan's clash with Peykan, where Payam Niazmand's errors drew the ire of head coach Jose Morais, prompting a halftime substitution with Nima Mirzazad taking over goalkeeping duties.

Yet, the most disappointing display of the week came from Persepolis's Alireza Beiranvand, the stalwart goalkeeper for Team Melli. Despite his status, Beiranvand's recent form has been under scrutiny since the AFC Asian Cup 2023. His performance against Foolad Khuzestan further fueled doubts, as elementary errors led to both of Foolad's goals, including a momentary lapse that resulted in a Persepolis own goal.

With Amir Ghalenoei and his coaching staff closely monitoring these league matches, concerns have undoubtedly arisen regarding the reliability of Team Melli's main goalkeepers. However, amidst these worries, Esteghlal's Keeper and Team Melli's third-choice goalkeeper, Hossein Hosseini, emerged as a beacon of hope by maintaining a clean sheet.

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers loom on the horizon, all eyes are on Ghalenoei's next move. Will he adhere to his pledge of rejuvenating the Team Melli squad, or will he opt for continuity with the old guard under the guise of needing more time? The next two matches will undoubtedly provide crucial insights into the direction Ghalenoei chooses for the national team.

Failure of Persepolis typifies poor standards in Iran

The Iranian league champions Persepolis, failed to qualify to the last 8 /round of 16 of the AFC Asian Champions League 2023/24 after a home defeat to Al-Duhail of Qatar by a score of 2-1. Stopping its point tally at 8, was not good enough to be amongst the best 3 second placed teams of the Weste Asia zone of the Champions League.

Sepahan, however, qualified despite the defeat in the final round against Ittihad to be the only Iranian team in the round of 16 joining all 4 Saudi teams, 2 from Uzbekistan, and 1 from UAE. Persepolis under Yahya Golmohammadi and Nassaji Mazendran under Mehdi Rahmati, Iran's two other representatives, did not make it.

This qualification pretty much sums up the poor and controversial local league of Iran. Lifeless and boring matches filled with time-wasting, faking injuries, and the customary players protest against referees, poor officiating, lousy coaching typically from the Iranian coaches who excel in creative excuses for their low standards, and chaotic management at the club level all cumulated to producing a poor league that is nowhere near the standards displayed by other Persian Gulf clubs. The only positive of Iran's league is the passionate fans who still flock to the stadiums to watch their beloved teams.

Football has deteriorated in standard for many years in Iran. It is not a shock that only one team out of three qualified and even then, not at the top of the group but by being one of the best second-placed teams. This poor league standard will surely be reflected in Team Melli which is currently the oldest team in Asia, perhaps even the world, with the same names bar slight changes, being recalled to the Team time and time again. There is a lack of exciting players, even the new players called to Team Melli are near their thirties!

No single reason can be pinpointed for this downfall with opinions differing on which factors are the worst. In our view, the prime and the most vital reason for Iran's football decline is the worsening standard of management as more and more ex-generals of Sepah, Pasdaran, and other military establishments are rewarded on their retirement and loyalty to the regime by being appointed to run football clubs and federations. On the other side, those in the know and capable of doing the job are sidelined or neglected.

There is another element that is seldom mentioned in the media and that is corruption. It has reached an alarming and dangerous levels. It is a pandemic that the mainstream Iranian-controlled media is actively and purposely trying to disguise and cover-up.

Due to political and economic reasons, the Iranian coaches are unable to learn from the best in the world. They do not attend international seminars or workshops. There is no strategy to train the trainers by the FFIRI or the clubs. The coaches are self-taught, lacking many basic skills of modern football coaching that prepares the fundamental of a good coach. Many have a terrible attitude as well, which makes it even worse coaching a club and setting bad examples for the players. Only a very few like Hashemian and Mahdavikia have been trained professionally to be coaches, however, none of them are active in Iran's football as we speak.

In Team Melli right now, the coaching staff are mostly selected based on nepotism rather than competency, knowledge, and skills. This is also repeated at most club's levels, except for Sepahan and Tractor. It is a no-brainer to pick the best coach in Iran's domestic league and he is not Iranian. The Portuguese. Jose Morais has an impressive CV, and skills, in addition to excellent attitude, and competency to lead Sepahan into the round of 16 of the AFC Asian Championship. Perhaps the other Iranian coaches should learn from him, notably how he gives playing time to young and talented players to perform at the highest levels of competitions, something Iranian coaches barely dare to do.

Amir Abedini: Queiroz must go.

Amir Abedini is a former club chairman, former professional footballer, and currently a member of the City Council of Tehran. Abedini's views on football and politics have always been direct and bold. He has no issues speaking up against corruption, shortfalls, and anything that he deems to be harmful to society. In football, he rarely holds back and is most critical of the football establishment, the nepotism, and the mismanagement of the federation. He does not get much press exposure because his views are deemed to be controversial and since the FFIRI and football, in general, are under direct government control, it will be detrimental to the ruling clan and the political system.

Abedini was recently interviewed by Mehrnews post the Tehran derby that ended in a 2-2 draw. He was critical of the standard of the match, the lack of atmosphere as the match was played behind closed doors in the 100,000-capacity Azadi stadium, and the general lack of quality, and skills by the players of Esteghlal and Persepolis. Abedini then remarked that "after the Excitement of the World Cup and the beautiful games we have witnessed, perhaps our expectation of this derby was far too high."

Amir Abedini was then asked about team Melli.

The former president of the Football Federation emphasized: "One of the issues that play a role in the quality of the league is the national team, which we do not see in Iran at the moment. Queiroz's national team means a predetermined package; A certain group of players who, if Queiroz could, would even be taken with him to Colombia! In my opinion, our league is useless and its output is nothing for the national team. This hurts the league, the players, and the clubs in many ways.

Mehdi Taj is losing his bearings. Abedini also responded to Mehdi Taj's strange behavior and answers, which caused a lot of controversy on the sports network a few days ago, and added: Taj is losing his integrity due to the intense pressure he is under. One of the admirable merits of Taj was his coolness and his reasonable dealings with the media. Today Taj is tense and nervous and this nervousness plays a role in his behavior and decision-making. The bad failure in the World Cup made him nervous. The expectations of the people and the media are quite high and yet I have not seen any true critique from the media so far.

Team Melli was disappointing in the World Cup. " We didn't see anything of worth from Iran in the World Cup," the former member of the Football Federation stated: "People expected the National Team to show its face and turn up to play football in the World Cup, but we didn't see such thing. The beating by England hurt badly. In the 2018 World Cup, we defeated Morocco, but what happened to Morocco, who lost to us, four years later? they became among the top four teams in the world and were so good that the people of Asia, Africa, and some of the people of other continents wanted Morrocco to reach the final. . Or, for example, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea, which performed significantly better than Iran.

Unwanted Queiroz was reborn and became alive with Iran. Abedini added: We defeated the modest team of Wales. A team that really had nothing to say, but we messed up the national team's camp and created false expectations. The same package of players that I mentioned earlier, threw that gentleman (Queiroz) up and down 6 times against England. Was it the same case for Korean and Japanese coaches? No one wanted Queiroz anywhere, but we brought him back to life. Taj defends something that has been rejected by the people and the media. People are not thrilled anymore;  Why do they insist that Queiroz remains one of the options for the head coach of the national team? Mr. Taj! People attack you because you are defending something that has been rejected by the people. People enjoy and rave about winners and enjoy success. Failures have no place in society.

Queiroz needs to go.  "I am against the renewal of Queiroz's contract. His work is not good enough." The former president of the Football Federation emphasized that he is against the continuation of Queiroz's work in the national team and said: "I am expressing my opinion. If Mr. Taj wants to stay in football, he must create a platform for consensus, that is, elites and experts who believe that change is necessary for football. It is good that the league is held, but the important thing is how our matches are held and what quality.

Imaginary enemies "The media is not the enemy of football." Abedini said, in response to the criticism of Mehdi Taj's performance," Taj should be spoken to and the public is entitled to know what is his plan for football and Team Melli. How does he want to continue his work? The General Assembly members and board of directors need to address that. Fand=s and experts should feel relaxed and be assured that football is being properly run (...) . These are football fanatics. The media is not an enemy, and neither are the people. Mehdi Taj must have a master plan with checkpoints to determine whether it is moving in the right direction or not.

Plans for Team Melli "I think people like Dadkan and Maeli Kohn can provide good advice to Taj in regard to Team Melli. Asked about, what advice the former Head of FFIRI  has for the Federation Assembly regarding the national team. He said: "Elites must decide. The football federation is for the people and the football elites become the representatives of the people. Make a decision and accept responsibility for it. People like Dadkan or Maeli Kohn or those who have experienced the ups and downs of football should help Taj as a consultant and support him. This would be a good option. It is not just a matter of having foreign or domestic coaches; whoever takes over in Team Melli, should be a coach who is proud of his appointment and capable, skillful, and competent for the post.