News ID: 235

Date: 24 May 2025 - 21:40

#safeguarding

AFC Official Commends Iran Football Federation’s Child Safeguarding Initiatives

During the National Grassroots Day in Iran, held at Olympic Hotel in Tehran, AFC observer praised the FFIRI for its concrete steps and commitment toward child safeguarding in football.

As reported by the official website of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), the recent National Grassroots Meeting brought together senior officials and stakeholders from across the country. Among the key highlights of the event was the presentation on child safeguarding by FFIRI Child Safeguarding Officer, Ehsan Mohammadi.

“Creating a safe, healthy, and enjoyable environment for children in football is one of our core priorities,” said Mohammadi. “Beyond learning the sport, football should be a platform where children develop life values such as teamwork, empathy, mutual respect, and responsible citizenship.”

Mohammadi explained that one of the federation’s most impactful steps in recent years has been raising awareness among coaches, club managers, and families regarding the importance of child safeguarding.
“In the past three years, we have conducted extensive educational workshops in various provinces and clubs. As a result, nearly 6,000 individuals are now familiar with the fundamental concepts of child safeguarding—and this number continues to grow,” he added.

The FFIRI safeguarding officer further emphasized that meaningful collaboration between the federation’s Youth, Education, and Club Licensing departments has helped institutionalize child safeguarding into the structure of Iranian football.
“We have integrated safeguarding content into coaching courses and made it a consideration within the club licensing criteria. These actions underline that child safeguarding is not a symbolic gesture, but a strategic priority,” he said.

He also noted the official adoption of Iran’s national Child Safeguarding Regulation by the FFIRI Executive Committee last year.
“This regulation has laid the groundwork for establishing implementation task forces nationwide. But to make a real impact, we need the full support of all football stakeholders—from club managers and coaches to the media. Together, we must prevent all forms of physical and psychological harm to children involved in football,” Mohammadi stressed.

At the conclusion of the presentation, AFC representative Ovida Dolotbekov offered strong words of support for FFIRI’s approach, recognizing the federation’s child safeguarding efforts as progressive and effective, and encouraged its continued expansion across the country.