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No reception party for Team Melli squad !!

Carlos Queiroz refused to give an interview on arrival at Imam Khomeini International airport as a result of what he claimed as lack or respect by the management of the federation. Team Melli squad arrived in Tehran after a long trip from South Korea after playing a goal-less draw against the host nation in the qualifying rounds of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018. Iran maintained the lead in the Group with 21 points 7 points ahead of second place Korea with an incredible run of 12 clean sheets match in the qualifiers .

Team Melli players have already used the social media to complain about the lack of support and the indifference of the authorities in providing suitable resources including a proper training ground.  This type of federation indifference has become the norm from as far as Queiroz took over in 2011.  After several threats of resignation and refusal to go to Tehran , Queiroz was promised that support will improve and his requirements will be met. Promises after promises and 6 years later , the situation has hardly changed. The head of the FFIRI has changed but certainly not for the better and the same incompetence still prevails leaving Carlos Queiroz fuming at every opportunity.

This time in the Airport, there was not even a single FFIRI delegate to meet the squad. Such lack of interest by the officials left many players despondent. Khabar Varzeshi news which was televising live from the airport on Team Melli arrival was not granted any interviews because of FFIRI officials absence!!

 

Mehdi Taj to the rescue of Iranian clubs.

The FFIRI President, after prolonged discussion with AFC officials, was able to extend the AFC deadline given to Iranian clubs to pay off their debts for additional two months.

Asian Football Confederation recently set a deadline for the AFC Champions League teams, according to which the clubs must pay all their debts to individuals, legal entities and taxpayers until 31 August . Otherwise they would not be able to get professional licenses and participate in Asian competitions including the Champions League.

Meanwhile, each of the four Iranian clubs on the list Persepolis , Esteghlal , Tractorsazi and Naft Tehran had amassed huge debts from the past seasons that their settlement could did not possibly be cleared in two months, and requires careful planning by the owners of these clubs.

Regarding this problem, Mehdi Taj, during his recent visit to the AFC, had meetings with the members of the Confederation, which resulted in AFC’s approval for a two-month extension to the deadline and mainly to determine the debt obligations. Earlier, these debts were to be paid until August 31st,  the club’s account needs to be clear of debts by 9th ​​of November.

 

 

Now is not the time for silence!

 

The announcement of the ban of the two national team players led to widespread negative reactions. FIFA spokesman has requested an explanation about the incident and if the FFIRI is adhering to the principle of the independence of the federation from Iranian authorities. It apparent that FIFA requires a quick and clear response from the Mehdi Taj.

According to ISNA, after the Panionios Greek club was grouped with a Zionist regime in the European League playoffs, the club announced in a statement that Masoud Shojaei and Ehsan HajSafy would not be used for the game in Tel Aviv, in respect to their beliefs. But the Greek club declared that the two Iranian players are needed in the return match due to the defeat in the away game and placed them in the starting lineup. Both the Iranian players came out to the pitch with wristbands in the shape of Iranian flag.

After that, the debate about the future of the two players intensified, until the Football Federation and the Ministry of Sports condemned the incident. They both announced that “soon a review their situation with the presence of the two players will be conducted”. In fact, the federation and the ministry of sport tried to enforce the statute of the football federation and, on the other hand, refused to take a hasty decision to make the situation worse.

A few days later, Ali Motahari, the vice chairman of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, condemned the presence of these two players against the Zionist regime, saying that Shojaei and Hajj Safi could apologize to the people and promise that such an affair would no longer be repeated to close this subject.

However and unexpectedly,  the relative calm situation that was prevailing was suddenly shattered with the interview that was given by the deputy minister of sports. “The two players have crossed the red line and hence are banned from playing with the national team.” Such types of statements have put Iranian football in a serious challenge and jeopardy.

The problem that could have been resolved by keeping it under discreet internal discussion,  was soon taken blown over and became a topic in world media and well outside our borders. Serious questions are being asked. Is the Iranian Football Federation Independent? Is there chronic government interference in football affairs in Iran? Is this ban of the two footballers consistent with football rules and regulations as sanctioned by FIFA? Does Iran want to be part of FIFA and play up to the rule or face sanctions like many other nations for such political interference?

Now that the national team has done the difficult part and qualified the World Cup and Persepolis is in the Asian Champions League quarter-finals with a good chance of winning the title, the repeat of history and the possibility of a football suspension can be very unpleasant affair. As of now in the football federation, from “Taj” to “Saket” and  the members of the board of directors of the FFIRI, know that FIFA is demanding an answer, however it is not clear what the federation and its officials are doing these days, maintaining absolute silence in this frenzy, and providing no explanations or answers. Neither to public opinion nor to the official football institutions!!

These days, an official statement from the officials of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) may be that water required for the fire of those with hateful intentions for the national interests of Iran.

The football federation has done well by maintaining silence up to date, but anything more than that “silence” is not acceptable. Taj and his directors should take a position soon in fact, very soon. It should be announced that the Football Federation is an independent body and no football events have taken place without its decision and administration, and it will not allow it to be manipulated by those who have ill-intention and malice for the national interests of Iran

Another IRIFF blunder on the way!

The Iranian football federation once again is planning to appoint low or no experience coaches for Youth Teams.

After elimination from the group stages of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2017 in Korea Rep. and failure of coach Peyrovani to get the best out of one of the most promising youth teams in decades , FFIRI is looking to renew the team and select another coach.

The list of the candidates is headed by no other than the failed coach Amir Hossein Peyrovani, Ex-Team Melli Captain Javad Nekounam , Omid Ravankhah and Hossein Cahmanian.

For FFIRI, teams at youth level do not warrant employing high caliber experience coaches. It has been a stepping stone for wannabe coaches a policy which has resulted in Iranian teams failures at most youth levels.

 

Kaffashian will not run in the latest FFIRI elections.

Ali Kaffashian the incumbent President of the Iranian football federation FFIRI has announced that he will not run for re-election due in a few weeks.

7 candidates have announced their candidacy for replacing Ali Kaffashian amongst them are Mehdi Taj , the current head of the Football League in FFIRI , General Mostafa Ajerloo famous for his succesful days as Pas Tehran club chairman and Azizollah Mohammadi , the former  head of the Football League . The trio have the highest chances of winning the election as the new President of FFIRI.

Kaffashian has been put under pressure by his Nemesis the Minister of Sport Goudarzi to quit. The two never had an amicable relation mainly due to the constant interference by the Ministry in football affairs thus risking a ban by FIFA. Kaffashian has publicly denied any rift but admitted that the FFIRI and the Ministry of Sport have conflicting interests and opinions that could harm the sport. 

Despite Kaffashian’s withdrawal , he noted that if he feels that there is enough backing and support from the general assembly , he will reenter the election for another 4 years.

The impact of Kaffashian leaving the administration will be directly felt at Team Melli. Carlos Queiroz , the head coach has been receiving full support from Kaffashian while on the other hand, creating a plethora of enemies around him. It is a forgone conclusion that Queiroz will not survive without Kaffashian at the helm. No one in the current administration cares much for him being the head coach except for Kaffashian. None of the other candidates expressed public support for the Portuguese coach either. However , in Iran changes can happen and shifts in support has turned situations before. 

Queiroz in Minsitry of Youth & Sport
Queiroz in Minsitry of Youth & Sport

Kaffashian offices raided by government officials.

Ali Kaffashian was questioned by government officials and his offices was rummaged on Sunday. 

The head of Iran’s football federation was not taken into custody but the officials carried with them several documents of unknown nature for examination or as evidence.

Reza Hassankho , the head of security in the FFIRI has confirmed that government officials have visited the federation’s headquarters in Seoul street of Tehran and questioned the Head of the federation. Hassankho did not elaborate on the reason behind this unexpected move neither did did he indicate which government agency had carried out the operation. The position of Head of Security in the FFIRI is normally “recommended” by the  government through the Ministry of Youth and Sport.

Ali Kaffashian has been facing several corruption allegations but none was proven until now. He will stand for re-election in a few months time and this incident might be a move to tarnish his image by none other than his sworn foe, the Minister of Youth and Sport.

No comments or statements from any government ministries were issued.

Nuclear deal and Iran’s football.

It is not far from accurate to claim that the lifting of sanction against Iran in the aftermath of the nuclear deal especially when it comes to the banking sector, will have an immediate impact on Iran’s football like every other sector of society.

Banking Restrictions

One major problem that hindered the progress of football was the restrictions of money transfer which made it difficult to engage foreign coaches and teams. The football federation has still not been paid its share of participation in the World Cup 2014 by FIFA estimated to be around US$8 million, because of the restriction on banking transaction with Iran. Similar difficulties have faced the clubs and the federation when arranging for friendlies, payments to foreign coaches and establishment of training camps outside the country. With the lifting of these sanctions, a huge burden will be lifted and business would be conducted unrestricted.

 

Bright economic outlook

By all accounts, the economic and financial outlook of Iran is truly bright. A country with hardly any foreign debts and huge uncapped resources, is gradually recovering billions of dollars in unlawfully held frozen assets plus interests. On top of that, the economic growth as result of lifting of the sanction could hit record highs. Both the Bourse in Tehran and the Iranian currency has seen rates going up north within hours of the deal announcement.

However, it is hardly improbable that the football will be on the receiving end of much of that wealth. No flood gate opening of foreign coaches and players expected soon in Iran, although marginal increase of foreign imports is expected.

 

Clubs difficulties

With the financial difficulties faced by almost all of the league clubs, it will take some time for them to recover and perhaps benefit from government handouts, a government that has many priorities ahead of football. President Rouhani has much work to do trying to mend much of the fiascoes of the previous government. Football clubs are becoming a heavy burden for the economy not to mention a source of corruption and embezzlement. Despite what looks like a genuine interest in privatizing major clubs in Iran, the government has failed to deliver through bad management of the deal.

The government, through the ministry of Sports is also guilty of some poor appointments of managers and CEO’s for these clubs, much nepotism and little regards to the person’s competency or professionalism.

 

Management failures

The major problem of Iran’s football is not just the lack of financial resources however. It is the acute failure of its management at all levels from the Ministry , federations all the way to clubs and local football consuls. While Iran has a person such as Javad Zarif negotiating and managing to strike a deal with the world power, Iran’s football managers cannot arrange a simple task without failures, embarrassments and disappointments. Be it arranging a training camp or appointing coaches or negotiating for friendly matches, time after time we have seen these people running the show, fail to deliver and cause embarrassments to Iran’s reputation one after another.

Failures galore!

The list of such humiliation can handsomely produce volumes of pages worthy of reading. It is not bad to run quickly through some major blunders and pitfalls of the last few years . FIFA sanction against Iran for political meddling, AFC suspension of Iran youth level teams for several years for falsifying document to lower players ages, Iran’s disqualification from the London Olympics football qualifying rounds for fielding an ineligible player, numerous cancelation of friendly games and training camps, failure of the government (Ministry of youth and Sports) to privatize Persepolis and Esteghlal after 4 attempts, appointing of an ineligible coach for Iran U23 team who does not hold proper qualification according to AFC and FIFA requirements.

When a country has a man in the caliber of Mohammd Javad Zarif, as a foreign minister supported by a team of professional who are all graduates of the most famous and highly regarded educational institutes of the world, when the country advances in so many fields including sport itself as evident from the meteoric rise of Iran’s Volleyball team to the top of the World League , when he country despite the huge brain migration to the west , still manages to run a respectable financial , political and military establishments, one wonders why these skills are not seen or reflected in Iran’s football management!

Football’s bad apples.

It seems that football in Iran attracts incompetent and dodgy characters. The sport pages of Iranian media is full of claims , trash talk , rhetoric , false promises and pure lies by these football administrators especially those associated with Persepolis and Esteghlal. When it comes to achievement, accomplishment and delivery, these people fail miserably at that. No matter how much money is flooded into football in Iran and most of it is public funds , if it is not managed properly , it will definitely be wasted.

From the Minister of Sports, to the FFIRI presidency, the clubs and all the way down, Iran has experienced far too many managerial failures that cannot be simply improved by pumping more money.

The Future & the options.

Somewhere along the line, there has to be a drive to introduce skillful management starting at the highest level into this football. Visionary Managers who understand the sport but more important than their understanding of the game plans, they should be adept corporate managers who can run clubs and federation like corporate entities. Iran does not need old retired players who have not achieved anything in life beyond their playing football to run its football. For some odd reasons so of these veterans keep demanding their rights to manage and own clubs!

Lack of skilled managers with modern mentality, flexibility, adaptability and global experience will hurt Iran’s football in the long run. And right there, is precisely where things are going wrong in Iran. Short term mentalities, has been the Achilles heel of this football. Lack of interest by managers of anything beyond the years that they are in office or in control. This disinterest in future is one reason that for decades now, Esteghlal and Persepolis have failed to produce quality young players.

Conclusion

In general, when the dust settles down, it is hoped that football reaps the benefit of Iran’s new chapter in its relation with the west. It is no shame to invest in foreign expertise even in football. The world has seen plenty of examples of countries utilizing foreign expertise and the best that their money can buy to develop its infrastructure.

FFIRI negotiating with ADIDAS

The head of marketing of the Iranian football federation FFIRI has confirmed that his federation is negotiating a new contract for the supply of kits to all the teams of different levels and age groups in FFIRI.

Mohammad Derakhshan who is the head of Marketing committee of FFIRI confirmed that his federation is in negotiation with the German giants Adidas, to supply Iranian national teams for the upcoming season until World Cup 2018.

Derakhshan said there have been a few questions that are still pending responses from the German sports good manufacturers. He also confirmed that an Italian supplier has approached FFIRI for the same purpose. No final decision has been reached yet by the FFIRI.

Currently , FFIRI is under contract with another German supplier UHLSports.

The relationship between UHLSports and FFIRI was marred by accusations of poor quality control claims. Carlos Queiroz and some of his players have claimed that the German company has supplied the team with inferior quality kits while UHLSports have vehemently denied such claims and threatened to take legal action against those false accusations.

Concerns raised on Team Melli sponsorship deal.

A sub-committee of the Iranian parliament, investigating the financial dealings and expenditure of government-owned entities and also the subsidies that the government provided to the various sport federations, has unveiled yet another possible corruption case in football federation FFIRI.

The sub-committee of the Majlis , which like the Ministry of Youth and Sports , has been highly critical of the financial irregularities of the football federation and lack of transparency, is targeting the sponsorship deal awarded to a private sector organization for the sponsorship of Team Melli.

The sub-committee has been receiving a lot of complaints from people claiming that the rebates, giveaways and gifts that they were promised by the joining Team Melli support campaign backed by the sponsors have not been forthcoming.

The culprit is a mobile communication company in Iran that has a huge advertising campaign using Team Melli name. The company has alleged to have promised several gifts including CD’s , rebates on phone calls and other services for a mere 5000 toman to Team Melli fans club.

During the last general assembly of the FFIRI, there was very little mention of the sponsorship deal with the company in the financial report. The sub-committee stated that the top brass at the federation could not provide them with the details of the sponsorship contract and how much the federation is getting out of the deal with this particular sponsor.

The sub-committee believes that this company and football federation have created an atmosphere of mistrust and used the popularity of Team Melli to gain money unethically and amounting to an embezzlement.

Candelas future with Futsal team is uncertain.

Despite the upcoming heavy schedule of Iran’s futsal team, the head coach Jesus Candelas is nowhere to be seen.

 Abbas Torabian, the head of the Futsal committee responded to the questio0ns about the Spanish coach whereabouts by reporters. “I have made contact with him. He is outside of Iran and asked him why is he not back. Candelas complained about the non-payment of his wages which is contract violation. We have promised him that he will be paid sooner or later (!!!) and asked him to return to his job.”

Torabian said that the future of Candelas will be discussed in a meeting tomorrow while adding that he was not assigned the task of replacing the beleaguered Spanish coach or finding a replacement by the head of the federation.

Torabian claimed that he has given Candelas 3 days to respond else his contract will be null and void!

 At least the FFIRI is quite consistent in dealing with their foreign employees be it football or futsal teams. Non or late payments of wages is among the major feats of this federation. However, the threat to continue working without being paid or else face dismissal seems to be a new trend in this farcical administration.