The mismanagement in the 2019 Hazfi Cup Final – Disaster averted!

The unfortunate events in the Persepolis and Damash Gilanian 2019 Hazfi Cup Final game, was yet another confirmation of the degree of mismanagement and negligence in Iranian football, which has been frequent in the past few years. Despite the gravity of the situation, no football or non-football authority is willing to accept the consequences of these events and do something about it.

The ideal solution to address these failures would be for the law to act and punish the offenders, those responsible for organization of the match and those who manage and run the football federation. Accountable persons need to be identified, justifiably tried in court of law and prosecuted.

This is the only legitimate way of action by the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the order for criminal proceedings must decisively come from its highest level of authority. Endangering public safety, risking people’s lives and participating or instigating riots as witnessed in recent big matches, both involving Persepolis club, in Esfahan in the semi-final of the cup and now in Ahvaz in the final, must be taken as a serious public safety risk.

Some might believe that there is a technicality here as such actions are in contravention of FIFA regulations on governing the federations. However the reality is quite clear. Laws in every country prosecutes offenders, football has been immune from many prosecutions because FIFA bullies countries. Failure to safely organize a match is one of the major violations of FIFA Rules in the first place and prosecuting offenders is the responsibility of the countries security forces and the courts.

The public prosecutor must bring charges against the head of FFIRI and people like Fattahi and Taleghani for recklessness, safety violations which have led to physical injuries and property damage.

Lack of management skills and organizations of football games is a chronic occurrence in Iran. It a serious offense because, as witnessed time and again, it has led to property damage, serious injuries and deaths. Luckily no deaths have occurred in the last two recent serious events but plenty of other causalities, damages and tarnishing of country’s reputation has indeed been experienced.

One of the major cultural and social problems in Iran is the lack of accountability. Administrators/ Accountable Managers/ Bosses do not shoulder responsibilities for their action or misdemeanor as a matter of principal. It is a cultural issue. The culpable person normally uses loads of excuses in self-defense and will argue to death even if the evidence is so clear cut. When there is no defense whatsoever, they claim that the incident in question was an act of God and can happen anywhere in the world. Even if their guilt is proven and a guilty verdict is issued, the guilty party will still bargain his way for a clemency or to strike a favorable deal!

It is not that the Iran and the system does not have laws and regulations to protect public safety, it is the implementation that is so poor and messy.

The events in Ahvaz were serious…far too serious and significant to let it slide under the carpet to protect the interests of some influential people in football and political circles. When it comes to the safety of the public, it is not a game anymore it is a lawbreaking crime.

It is no secret that FFIRI is run by personnel indirectly affiliated to the government. They are trustees of the regime in one form or another. Retirees from ministries, Basij or the military have the lion share of posts in all sports federations in Iran. There is little chance for an entrepreneur, a liberal or an independent person to win a fair election in the football federation. Although nominations and elections are carried out in a democratic process, the reality is quite different.. Even if independent outsider does succeed by some miracle to be elected, his/her wings will be clipped as this federation is reliant on the government handout and thus has no choice but to obey and listen to the orders of the regime.

Past records show that personnel from the federations are mostly protected from the law, but this time the law must act.

It is regrettable that the appointment of Marc Wilmots as head coach of Team Melli is smeared by the pandemonium of the Hazfi Cup final.