The AFC’s continued correspondence over some objections to the election of the new Secretary-General of the Federation has led to a meeting of the FFIRI Board of Directors to resolve these issues.

According to ISNA, the first changes in the Football Federation administration and the appointment of the new Secretary-General created many headaches, most of which are due to complacency, obliviousness and negligence in applying the rules. To make matters even worst, the internal disputes in the Board of Directors have added to the problems with some members acting against the leadership.

*Appointment of a new Secretary-General

In fact, after the election cum appointment of Mehdi Mohammad Nabi , one of the old guards of the federation, as the new Secretary-General which took place on March 29, the Asian Football Confederation, contrary to previous occasions, suddenly took an interest in the FFIRI governance and processes. AFC informed the Iranian side of some violations in the process of appointment of Nabi. So far, there have been three different letters sent to FFIRI in which the AFC emphasized the need to resolve these breaches to the rules. AFC declared that meeting of the Football Federation’s Board of Directors in which Nabi was appointed instead of Shakuri is null and void as it only recognizes Shakouri as the legitimate Secretary-General only.

The FFIRI initially was on the defensive insisting on its stand and responded after the second AFC correspondence by providing documents, which in fact proved the AFC points on the breaches rather than indemnify FFIRI. AFC was not satisfied with these documents.

* The third AFC letter with a threatening tone!

Now the Football Federation, after resolute insistence and haggling on winning the argument and the case, has realized the seriousness of its situation.  After the AFC reiterated its position by accepting Shakouri as the Secretary-General of FFIRI and, most importantly, mentioning that FFIRI response was not convincing, while it continues misunderstandings and misinterpreting the situation, FFIRI has half-heartedly accepted it is not going to win this case.

* The board to hold an emergency meeting to solve the problem

Following the submission of the third letter by the AFC, the FFIRI is now preparing to hold a meeting with the federation’s executives members on Monday to resolve the issue of selecting a new secretary-general as soon as possible. In this meeting, Shakouri agreed to cooperate and attend as the Secretary-General to give the meeting a legitimacy the AFC is demanding.

Undoubtedly, the Football Federation is suffering on several fronts. In the current situation, important issues such as amending the statute, solving financial problems, holding elections and deciding on the fate of the Premier League under the shadow of COVID-19 are creating the most serious challenge to FFIRI since its suspension by FIFA in 2006.

History could repeat itself in 2020 as FIFA and now AFC are monitoring the breaches and violations of the FFIRI. The sanction is a possibility under the management of this federation which is already embroiled in internal conflict and marred by poor governance.