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GOAL - In response to FIFA's decision to
suspend Iran from all international competitions due to political
interference is the Iranian Football Federation (IFF), Iranian football
journalist Kaveh Mahjoob has the following to say to the world's governing
body.
Football is the main form of entertainment for Iranian people. It is a
source of pride that brings the whole nation together, inspires them and
generates joy and happiness. Effectively, in Iran football is truly what
FIFA wants the beautiful game to be; a game of life for the people.
From a procedural perspective, FIFA’s decision to suspend Iran’s football
from the international scenes due to its government interference has merit.
Sports need to be independent from politics and individual football
federations need to remain independent. Conversely, the international
governing body of football, FIFA, must also stay pure from politics.
From a wider perspective, in examining the world of football, FIFA’s
decision lacks consistency and seems politically motivated.
In many countries outside of Europe, the governments own infrastructures
such as stadiums and clubs. As a result, the governments effectively run all
sports including football. Why is it that the Iranian government interfering
with its football federation is suddenly “suspension” material and why is it
that FIFA deciding to make example of Iran? Answering these questions
require deeper analysis.
In Saudi Arabia, a member of the royal family is the head of the football
federation. Are we to believe that the hands of governements are nowhere to
be seen in football federations in Saudi Arabia, most of Asia, African
countries, Eastern Europe and Central America?
Either FIFA believes that federations around the world are totally
independent from their respective governments - in which case FIFA is naïve.
Alternatively, FIFA is fully aware of the conditions and yet has decided to
pick on Iran - in which case FIFA’s act feels like, looks like and certainly
smells like a political move.
To be clear, I do not defend the Iranian Football Federation (IFF). For
months, they knew about “FIFA’s Investigation” and for months they allowed
this problem to brew. IFF should have dealt with the stated problems and
resolved them. Yet, Iran’s suspension is a punishment that does not fit the
crime.Being critical of IFF does not mean supporting FIFA’s act.
FIFA uses “Fair Play” as means to get cultures closer and provide
opportunity to developing nations. “Fair Play” also should mean treating all
football nations the same.
My simple question to Mr. Joseph S. Blatter and the members of the FIFA
Emergency Committee is: Do you use the same measuring sticks to evaluate ALL
of your members or is it just more convenient to pick on a football
federation whose government is facing significant political pressure
throughout the world?
The follow up question is: Who is intended to be punished as a result of the
suspension; the federation or the nation?
Dear FIFA, you have acted inconsistently, and apparently politically, in
contradiction of your “Fair Play” slogan and have punished a football loving
nation.
Dear FIFA, you have played “unfair.”
Kaveh Mahjoob
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