Following the death of former Football Federation president and veteran football figure Dariush Mostafavi, Mehdi Taj, current president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), issued an official condolence message.

In his statement, Taj expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a respected colleague and longtime contributor to Iranian football:

“With profound sadness, I received the news of the passing of Mr. Dariush Mostafavi, a dear brother and former president of the federation. He dedicated his life to the development and elevation of football in Iran, serving in various roles including president, secretary general, and most recently as a trusted advisor in the club licensing department. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Mostafavi family and the entire football community of Iran. May his soul rest in peace and may his legacy be remembered with honor.”

Mostafavi, who passed away on August 1, 2025, at the age of 80, was a former player for Taj and Persepolis and served as FFIRI president from 1994 to 1997. Under his leadership, Iran’s national team qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France—their first appearance since 1978.