The Iranian Football Federation has issued a statement denying that FIFA has suspended FFIRI.

The issue with the FFIRI draft amendment to its charter is still at a stalemate as it appears that FIFA has not approved the latest amendments that the Iranian side has submitted to the World Football Governing body.

After procrastination and delaying tactics, FFIRI has drafted some amendments to its charter and sent it to FIFA. At the same time, the FFIRI has assured the media in Iran that everything has been sorted out but FIFA is not responding on time for the approvals. There has been a significant lack of transparency and even secrecy in the negotiation between FIFA and FFIRI.

FIFA is objecting to several clauses in the FFIRI charter, rumored to be 70 chapters and clauses. The main issue is the interference of the government of Iran in the operation of the FFIRI something which is publically known across the country. The latest news is that FIFA has given an ultimatum to the Iranians and there are only 3 days left before its expiry. While the situation is critical, the executive board of FFIRI visited the Ministry of Sports to meet the MInister Soltanifar for consultation, which is the very thing that FIFA is objecting to. While Mohammad Nabi and others of FFIRI are meeting with the government officials, several members of the FFIRI itself have objected to lack of information on this serious matter as the federation executives are putting them in the dark and not informing the rightful members of this federation of what is really happening and what is the risk of suspension?

FFIRI Ignorance or rules or maneuvering?

FFIRI latest draft Submitted to FIFA with hopes that FIFA will turn a blind eye to the shortfalls to he charter or they (FFIRI) will use their usual bargaining tactics.  The procedure is for the amended draft to be first submitted to the Asian Confederation to seek their approval, but the officials of the Iranian Federation sent the draft directly to FIFA, thinking that they could “circumvent” the AFC. Unaware that FIFA is asking the Asian Confederation for a final opinion.

FIFA’s disappointing response to the FFIRI

The response sent by the International Football Federation to FFIRI in Iran was like pouring cold water on the bodies of officials who drafted the latest amendments and hoped that their efforts would be approved by FIFA.  A letter sent to the federation by FIFA on Friday (May 9th) made the situation even more difficult for the Iranian side. The letter, in addition to expressing surprise at some of the changes that contradict FIFA’s policies, emphasizes that FIFA will take other actions if the Iranian federation does not cooperate to amend the constitution.