News ID: 145

Date: 01 August 2024 - 01:08

Clubs Should Focus on Solutions, Not Negotiations

Mehdi Taj Emphasizes Need for Professional Standards and Cooperation in Upcoming League Season

Mehdi Taj, the President of the Iranian Football Federation, spoke at the draw ceremony for the 24th season of the Premier League. He said: "If we divide the amount of the contracts registered in football across other areas, the joy it brings to society is incomparable. Creating a good club is like demolishing a prison, and I thank those who help in any way with club management. There is a lot of ambiguity in football because most TV programs talk about it. Everything said in football goes viral, and the public's sensitivity is high."

Taj highlighted the need for collaboration between clubs this season: "This league is different because we are full of competitions and must understand each other. We have the Elite League, the World Cup qualifiers, and the leagues, and we also have the U-17 and U-20 World Cup. This requires mutual understanding and cooperation. Everyone cannot just think of themselves."

The President continued: "New regulations regarding stadiums have been added, and we are obliged to comply with AFC standards. Without these standards, seven of our clubs would not have received licenses. South Korea and Japan have obtained fewer licenses than us."

Discussing the strict measures for stadium standardization, he stated: "This season's league will be held in stadiums with electronic tickets, and everyone must sit in their designated seats. We have obtained a resolution from the National Security Council, and each club must establish a fan club, which will then manage the stadium to ensure everyone sits in their assigned place. If these standards are not met, the club will have to play in a compliant stadium. This issue cannot be resolved through lobbying. Clubs should focus on solutions instead of negotiations."

Regarding the VAR situation, he mentioned: "Mr. Hashemi, the Minister of Sports and Youth, provided about 1,100 billion tomans in assistance to Azadi Stadium. The training of referees and assistant referees has begun, with 16 referees, 10 assistant referees, 12 operators, and 9 technicians trained. We have established a VAR center at the National Football Center, which other countries can also use. A FIFA representative will come to inspect the VAR, and the AFC will also visit Iran to review the stadiums. We aim to establish order in penalties and the issuance of yellow and red cards, and we plan to implement financial penalties this year."

Finally, Taj addressed the corruption cases, stating: "Recently, the judiciary has asked for explanations from our colleagues regarding the year 2020. We believe that everyone, at any level, must be accountable. Our colleagues have welcomed this and have provided the necessary explanations. This year, we aim to have a clean, well-organized, and good league. A directive has been issued to the referees, the league organization, and the referees' committee, specifying the required conditions. Anyone who speaks or questions about football must be committed to providing answers. I hope we have a good, dynamic, and productive league this year."