FFIRI Newspaper | NO.361
FIFA principles openly violated as TeamMelli faces political hurdles
The visa restrictions imposed on TeamMelli in recent weeks represent a clear violation of FIFA’s core principles and contradict the spirit of chivalry and peace that world football is built upon.
The host country’s actions – not only against TeamMelli but also against some other qualified teams – have unfortunately injected political matters into the World Cup process, bringing confrontation onto the football pitch.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, spoke at a cultural committee meeting hosted by the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization. He emphasized that visa limitations against TeamMelli are unacceptable and that diplomatic efforts with FIFA will continue. “Decision‑making at this level should not be influenced by politics,” Taj said. “Such interference can negatively affect fair competition and teams’ preparation, and it is inconsistent with the spirit of fair play, which is one of FIFA’s fundamental principles.”
Taj noted that TeamMelli is experiencing its fourth consecutive World Cup appearance and secured qualification earlier than many other teams. “The Americans want to take revenge on the football pitch for the defeats they have suffered in war against Iran,” he said. “Despite all this malice, football – like all other pillars of the country – is managed with authority, and we all know that TeamMelli is also at war.”
The federation anticipates that such hostile actions may continue, but it maintains that FIFA is the sole authority governing football. The federation will seriously pursue the matter with FIFA. Nevertheless, TeamMelli will take the field at the World Cup with full authority, ensuring that the project to isolate Iran from international forums ends in a humiliating failure.
