Challenges Ahead for Iran Football Chief Mehdi Taj After Re-Election

Mehdi Taj was re-elected as head of FFIRI, receiving 72 votes, and committed to implementing mandatory women’s teams. He faces challenges with VAR technology’s implementation and transparency, alongside aiming for World Cup success with the national team. Expectations are high for improvements and advancement in Iranian football.

Mehdi Taj has been re-elected as the head of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) for a third consecutive four-year term, receiving an impressive 72 votes from the FFIRI Congress. This victory highlights his influence and stability within Iranian football administration. In his remarks, he expressed gratitude for the strong support, indicating that the endorsement reflects approval of past programs and a commitment to future initiatives.

Among the pressing issues Taj must address is the effective implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in league matches. The inconsistent application of VAR has caused protests from teams alleging bias in the federation’s decisions. Taj has pledged to enhance VAR capabilities by acquiring additional devices and improving the system’s connectivity and display through collaboration with the Iranian Broadcasting Organization (IRIB).

Transparency remains a significant concern, particularly regarding VAR communications. There are ongoing demands for the release of audio recordings exchanged between referees and the VAR room. Acknowledging this, Taj underscored the necessity for better cooperation with IRIB to accurately represent offside and goal-line technology during matches.

Taj remains optimistic about the national team’s efforts toward World Cup qualification, reaffirming his support for head coach Amir Ghalenoei. However, his past decision to replace Dragan Skocic with Carlos Queiroz shortly before the 2022 World Cup has led to skepticism regarding his long-term commitment to coaching decisions. Additionally, he aims to bridge the gap between Iranian and regional football, improve the domestic league’s quality, and increase Iran’s representation in the AFC Champions League.

The coming four years present considerable challenges for Taj as he endeavors to navigate the complexities of Iranian football. With mounting expectations from passionate fans, he must lead the national team toward a successful 2026 World Cup campaign and strive for unprecedented advancement in the tournament, including reaching the knockout stage.

In summary, Mehdi Taj’s re-election as head of the FFIRI reflects strong support for his leadership. However, he faces significant challenges in implementing VAR effectively, ensuring transparency, and advancing Iranian football on both national and international stages. Taj’s success in addressing these issues will be pivotal to meeting the high expectations of Iranian football fans over the next four years.

Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com