The state-run Jam-e Jam newspaper, linked with the official state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), on Sunday, June 9, revealed shocking confessions by Khodadad Afsharian, the former head of the Referees Committee of the Football Federation, regarding widespread corruption in Iranian football
Afsharian, who is currently in detention, has confessed to at least 15 cases of match-fixing in the Premier League and Division One, and has revealed the involvement of some referees and assistant referees in determining the outcomes of matches. According to informed sources, these referees will soon be summoned to court to respond to their charges.
The Iran Varzeshi newspaper, also quoting Jam-e Jam, has revealed more details of these confessions. According to this report, Afsharian named several referees and assistant referees in the Premier League as being involved in match-fixing, admitting that these acts have disrupted the dynamics of the Premier League and Division One in recent years.
The extent of corruption in Iranian football is so significant that Kiumars Hashemi, the Minister of Sports, officially announced on Thursday, June 6, that the new Premier League season will definitely be conducted with VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology.
However, government and judicial officials believe that the use of VAR alone is not sufficient, and that decisive action must also be taken against corrupt and bribed elements within the refereeing system.
Jam-e Jam, quoting an informed source, reported on the widespread corruption in football clubs and the involvement of managers, coaches, and referees in match-fixing and influencing match outcomes. This source warned that if all violators are dealt with, many people will be removed from Iranian football.
These revelations come as Fariborz Mahmoudzadeh, the former head of Division One and the Special Affairs Deputy of Mehdi Taj, the President of the Football Federation, was also arrested yesterday.
The former head of the Referees Committee of the Iranian Football Federation was arrested in connection with a financial corruption case on charges of receiving “bribes.”
According to a report by ISNA news agency on Wednesday, June 5, Khodadad Afsharian, the former head of the Referees Committee of the Football Federation, was arrested in connection with the case of “bribery payments by Mes Rafsanjan Club to some football managers.”
In addition to the arrest of Khodadad Afsharian, five other suspects in connection with this case have been summoned to court.
The regime’s ISNA news agency, quoting “an informed source,” reported that “Khodadad Afsharian has been sent to prison in connection with this case.”
In mid-May, shortly after reports of a new case of systemic corruption in Iranian football and the summoning of two federation managers and a sports media editor to court, dismissals in the Football Federation began, including the dismissal of Afsharian.
After his dismissal, Khodadad Afsharian provided the media with a text titled “Resignation Letter,” claiming that he “stepped down to prevent further controversy”; an action some football experts in Iran considered to be “at the behest of judicial and federation officials” or for “self-defense.”
