Ex-Head of Iran's Football Referee Committee Arrested on Corruption Charges

Khodadad Afsharian, the former head of the football federation referees' committee, has been apprehended on allegations of corruption, accused of accepting bribes to manipulate match outcomes.

Reports from Tasnim, a news agency associated with the Revolutionary Guards, claim several others have been arrested in the scandal entangling three additional clubs and figures like Soheil Mahdi and Fariborz Mahmoudzadeh, former officials of the Iran Football League organization.

The investigation began with the National Iranian Copper Industries’ complaint against the Mes Rafsanjan club, which catalyzed the initial probe during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Last month, the Asr-e-Iran website reported significant corruption within Iranian football, highlighting the inadequate oversight of supervisors and decision-makers, with allegations that agents and managers manipulate transactions to prioritize their financial gain over the sport's integrity.

Corruption is widespread in Iran, especially in sectors dominated by the government and semi-official companies, and it significantly impacts sports, including football. The Iranian economy, heavily controlled by governmental entities disguised as private firms, extends its influence on sports, promoting systemic corruption. This often results in the manipulation of markets, team ownership, sponsorship deals, and player selection.

In Iranian football, although direct corruption within the sport isn't publicly detailed, the overarching governmental control suggests an influence on all major sports. The political and economic dominance by powerful institutions like the IRGC and influential families suggests that this corruption extends into sports, heavily influencing outcomes.