FIFA & AFC meet Iran Football Federation Transitory Board

FIFA – A meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, 4 December 2007, under the chairmanship of Mr Mohamed bin Hammam, AFC President and FIFA Executive Committee member, between representatives from FIFA, the AFC, the Physical and Education Organisation (PEO) of Iran and the Iran Football Federation (IRIFF) Transitory Committee, during which FIFA and the AFC re-emphasised their strong position on the necessity of separating the football association from any governmental interference.

Furthermore, the PEO and IRIFF Transitory Committee shall communicate to FIFA and the AFC within 48 hours on the topics that were discussed at the meeting, mainly regarding objections to the President of the PEO and his deputy taking part in the Congress as candidates and on the issue of the chairmanship of the Congress.

The IRIFF confirmed that the IRIFF presidential election, originally scheduled for 6 December 2007, has been postponed. FIFA had informed the IRIFF last week that if the candidacy of the PEO President for the IRIFF presidential election was confirmed, world's football governing body would not recognise this election. Therefore, the IRIFF has opted for a postponement of the planned presidential election.