Mehdi Taj was re-elected FFIRI head, emphasizing women’s teams and addressing VAR concerns. He pledged to improve technology and connections while navigating challenges for the national team’s success and increasing domestic league quality during his term. Taj’s leadership will be tested in fulfilling fans’ expectations for the 2026 World Cup.
Mehdi Taj was re-elected as head of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) for a third consecutive four-year term, receiving 72 votes during the FFIRI Congress. His victory confirms his prominent role in Iranian football administration. Taj expressed gratitude for the support, emphasizing the need to improve and implement policies like mandatory women’s teams for every Iran football league club starting next season.
Despite his strong electoral support, Taj faces significant challenges in his new term. A crucial issue is the complete implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in league matches. The inconsistent use of VAR has led to protests, with teams accusing the federation of biased treatment. In response, Taj promised to enhance technical resources by acquiring six additional VAR devices and partnering with the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation (IRIB) to improve connectivity and displays.
Taj also pointed out the demand for greater transparency regarding VAR communications, acknowledging the need to release recordings of discussions between referees and the VAR room. Moreover, he emphasized improved collaboration with the IRIB to ensure that offside and goal-line technology functions accurately during matches.
On the national team front, Taj remains hopeful about their World Cup qualification efforts, reaffirming his confidence in head coach Amir Ghalenoei. However, his decision to replace Dragan Skocic with Carlos Queiroz shortly before the 2022 World Cup has cast doubts on his consistency in supporting coaches over the long term.
Taj’s agenda includes narrowing the gap between Iranian and regional club football, elevating the quality of the domestic league, and increasing Iran’s representation in the AFC Champions League. Fans have high expectations for the national team, aiming for a strong performance in the 2026 World Cup, aspiring for a historic advancement past the group stage.
The upcoming four years present a formidable challenge for Taj, possibly more difficult than his previous terms, as he navigates the complexities of Iranian football and works to fulfill the ambitions of an enthusiastic fanbase.
Mehdi Taj’s re-election as head of the FFIRI marks an important moment for Iranian football, with substantial expectations for his term. He faces pressing challenges, particularly in the implementation of VAR, enhancing domestic league quality, and advancing the national team in international competitions. His agenda aims to address these issues while fulfilling the aspirations of dedicated fans.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com
