The 61-year-old Safaie-Farahani is member of the reformist party Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF), served as member of parliament between 2000 and 2004 and was football federation president from 1998 to 2002.
He was among the numerous reformist officials and supporters of former president Mohammad Khatami who were arrested after last June's disputed presidential race which led to the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad but was overshadowed by fraud charges.
The IIPF backed former premier Mir-Hossein Moussavi, who is now the leader of the opposition Green Movement. IIPF head Mohsen Mirdamadi and several other party members were arrested and detained after the election.
Iran's opposition is currently led by Khatami, Moussavi, former parliament speaker Mehdi Karroubi and ex-president Akbar Hashemi- Rafsanjani.
Other reformist officials were also reportedly sentenced to heavy jail terms although they still have the right to appeal the initial verdict.