Will Iran's Football prosper under the Islamic Republic?

[somebuffguy]

I don't think the postal service delivery times correlate with anything meaningful. Yes, these have improved since the 1980's, but all other indicators have worsened.

Well, I didn't know mail could come to North America from Iran at all! Everyone I spoke to did not know this either. So maybe the people on this forum know something I didn't.

[bozghaleh]

Well, I didn't know mail could come to North America from Iran at all! Everyone I spoke to did not know this either. So maybe the people on this forum know something I didn't.

Most international couriers (UPS/Fedex/world courier) don't. International mail does, but it can take 10 days (like you had) to 30 days. But it's iffy, especially sending to Iran, because things get opened up and may not reach destination. Better off with private couriers out of LA.

[Babak agha]

Football under I.R is a lot like TM under Skocic. You can't really pick out anything in particular that you could say he's done correctly, but there's no denying that he's got results when needed.
Same goes I.R, there's no denying that football in Iran has prospered, even if it looks like there no proper planning involved.
Could things be better? Most likely, but that's a hypothetical. We can only go how things actually are.

How did we prosper under IR? How many AC did we win again? You're pointing our WC qualifications. Us making it more often has nothing to do with our progress and everything to do with the fact that a lot more teams now enter the WC. If I'm remembering correctly Asia only had a play off spot back in the day.. Now we have 4,5

[koorosh]

Well we're the top team in Asia and have been for a while now.
Also Qualified for the world cup 5 times under IR.
So we have prospered. There's clearly something that I.R is directly or indirectly doing right. Hell, I can argue that I.R limiting or restricting so many entrainment outlets (Arts, partying, etc...) Gives youth few options and drives them towards sports as one the few remaining ways to express themselves.
However if the question is will Iran reach It's max potential, then the answer is not as clear and probably no. That said, it's not that any other form of government would automatically be better. IMO, and this goes beyond football, corruption, favoritism and inequality is deeply embedded in Iranian (and many other ancient) culture. That's not to say Iranians don't have capacity to live in a more free and merit based society, it's just that it's not as simple as changing the government system for Iran to prosper

During the 20 years before the revolution, corruption and nepotism was cut hugely and for ordinary citizens and small business, things ran according to laws and regulations. Heads rolled and top positions became open to those with experience and track record.

Many people I know were in positions to test or see the processes....for example getting loans from national development Bank to start factories or buy advanced equipment was an open process. A virtual unknown architect was selected to design and build Shahyad (Azadi) square. Even people who had worked against the shah in their youth were not excluded so long as they were not politically active. Your grades not your family name determined if you got into the coveted university spots Iran was not Switzerland but the malaise of corruption and nepotism that has roared back to dominate every aspect of Iranian life today was mostly absent. There was process and order, much lower discrimination and much more opportunity.

I am writing this to tell you that what is wrong in Iran today has nothing to do with ancient culture and we are not bred to behave this way. It is a learned behavior that can again be overcome.

[AGC]

Nope. Too many thieves and corruption. No system builders to be found.

We Will progress, make No mistake about it. Foreign players Will bring more and more competency and knowledge but its not like wrestling with developed youth system and a champ in every street corner

[AGC]

First thing Dabir raised as an issue was to strenghten youth development. When haj bazaaris running iff talk like that and present an actual plan i Will answer yes.

Mofos arent even talking about pressing key issues

[somebuffguy]

Some of the policies is what is hurting progress:
1) Refusal to face Israel in sports
2) Hijab
3) Boycott events due to sponsor being Alchol/Beer Brewing or Gambling companies
4) Segregation of Men and Women
5) Women not allowed in stadiums

Top of that, the biggest obstacles and challenges hurting Iran are:

1) Iranian traitors inside and outside of Iran, such as separatist groups, some political opposition groups, christian converts who fled Iran and hold a deep hatred towards Iran as a nation, those families of PS752 flight, crazy fans who seek revenge on their rival club or Iran Football Federation, dodgy and corrupt officials/agents.

2) Hypocrisy and Double Standards by FIFA, AFC, OIC, Olympic Council of Asia, various World Organisations, governments of Western countries, Organizers and sponsors of sporting events who mix politics and sports.

3) Some hostility towards Iran by foreign countries, for example in Football by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE and Bahrain, other sports by same + Kuwait + some European countries.

Iranzamin's problems have always been traitors.

[Hosseini]

Well we're the top team in Asia and have been for a while now.
Also Qualified for the world cup 5 times under IR.
So we have prospered. There's clearly something that I.R is directly or indirectly doing right. Hell, I can argue that I.R limiting or restricting so many entrainment outlets (Arts, partying, etc...) Gives youth few options and drives them towards sports as one the few remaining ways to express themselves.
However if the question is will Iran reach It's max potential, then the answer is not as clear and probably no. That said, it's not that any other form of government would automatically be better. IMO, and this goes beyond football, corruption, favoritism and inequality is deeply embedded in Iranian (and many other ancient) culture. That's not to say Iranians don't have capacity to live in a more free and merit based society, it's just that it's not as simple as changing the government system for Iran to prosper

This is how I feel. It's not accurate to say we haven't prospered under the current government, whatever your thoughts are. Back to back WC qualifications. Number one team in Asia. But obviously we haven't reached the peak

Plus if you include beach soccer and futsal, which are both football, we certainly have prospered. One of the top teams in the world for both sports.

[Omids]

It’s more like football in Iran has shown progress in spite of IR…. Imagine where we could be with some organisation, integrity (lack of corruption) and a team that doesn’t represents a pariah state…the sky would have been the limit…but those are just dreams now

[Rooyintan]

Iranzamin's problems have always been traitors.

Khaen o Dozd Irooni dar donya dar Khiyanat o Dozdi rotbeye avval ro darand. Ba vojoode anha, doshmane khareji niyazi nist.

[Rooyintan]

Football Federation was founded in 1920 which was Qajar period. Their rule ended in 1925. So we can forget about those 5 years.

Then Pahlavi period 1925-1963 were the darkest years for Iran national team. Then from 1964 things got better. However Pahlavi period there was also corruption and political interference, for example Iran withdrew from 1964 Asia Cup because it was in Israel or Ghelichkhani was removed from Team Melli in 1977 because he was Tudeh-yi. Iran's golden football era for national team was all because of Kambiz Atabaei, Heshmat Mohajerani and Frank O'Farrell. Under Pahlavi in 8 Summer Olympic Games, Iran only collected 4 Gold Medals. Females only started participating for Iran in 1964 Olympic Games and that's only because of Iran Novin Party's policies. In Pahlavi era, Iran did well in Football and Tennis. Wrestling and Weightlifting in World Championships. As I said very poor and shameful Summer Olympic performance. Even for Football, in those days the bulk of European national teams treated non-European national teams with contempt. The best Iran could do was setup friendly matches with European clubs, their amateur national teams or youth national teams. The best European teams Iran played in "A" international friendlies were France (1978), Czechoslovakia (1974), Hungary (1975 & 1976), Turkey (1950). Others were Yugoslavia (1978), Wales (1978), Romania (1976 & 1977). The best non-European team played was Argentina (1977) at Real Madrid Tournament. Iran had great relations with many countries yet they did not arrange many friendly matches, they could have easily played likes of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Greece, Switzerland, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia but didn't. Actually when they did invite teams like Tunisia, Egypt, Zaire they made them play Iran B or Tehran XI. Also Iran did not have a women's national team.

Under IRI, Iran has achieved more in Sports, specially Summer Olympic Games. Basketball improved alot as well. So has Volleyball. Iranian female won a medal at Olympic Games. This period has its own challenges and questionable policies. Iran football team qualified for 1980 Olympic Games, yet boycotted because of politics. This period in the 1980s, could have easily played friendly matches with friend countries such as Algeria, Libya, Syria, India or Latin American teams but didn't, only played their military teams, club teams. When they played Eastern Europeans it was either their clubs or youth teams. Things only started to pick up for Iran Football from 1998, that's when Iran played really good opponents after that. Germany (2004), Mexico (2000 & 2007), Croatia (1998 & 2006), Brazil (2010), Russia (2011 & 2017), Sweden (2015), Chile (1998 & 2015), Denmark (1999). There were other friendly games with likes of Cameroon (1992), Nigeria (1998 Carlsberg Cup) but those were mostly their reserve players. Iran women's team formed in 2005. In this period, Nasser Noamooz, Mohsen Safaei Farahani, Ali Kafashian were perhaps the smartest Presidents of FFIRI.

Iranians must learn how to have national pride and put the interests of the nation before their own. Ta zamani ke khaen o dozd vojood dashteh bashe, be jayi nemirese. Khaen o Dozd hamishe vojood dashteh. Moshkel ine ke tedadeshoon hala kheili ziyad shode.

[taremiscores]

Football Federation was founded in 1920 which was Qajar period. Their rule ended in 1925. So we can forget about those 5 years.
Then Pahlavi period 1925-1963 were the darkest years for Iran national team. Then from 1964 things got better. However Pahlavi period there was also corruption and political interference, for example Iran withdrew from 1964 Asia Cup because it was in Israel or Ghelichkhani was removed from Team Melli in 1977 because he was Tudeh-yi. Iran's golden football era for national team was all because of Kambiz Atabaei, Heshmat Mohajerani and Frank O'Farrell. Under Pahlavi in 8 Summer Olympic Games, Iran only collected 4 Gold Medals. Females only started participating for Iran in 1964 Olympic Games and that's only because of Iran Novin Party's policies. In Pahlavi era, Iran did well in Football and Tennis. Wrestling and Weightlifting in World Championships. As I said very poor and shameful Summer Olympic performance. Even for Football, in those days the bulk of European national teams treated non-European national teams with contempt. The best Iran could do was setup friendly matches with European clubs, their amateur national teams or youth national teams. The best European teams Iran played in "A" international friendlies were France (1978), Czechoslovakia (1974), Hungary (1975 & 1976), Turkey (1950). Others were Yugoslavia (1978), Wales (1978), Romania (1976 & 1977). The best non-European team played was Argentina (1977) at Real Madrid Tournament. Iran had great relations with many countries yet they did not arrange many friendly matches, they could have easily played likes of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Greece, Switzerland, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia but didn't. Actually when they did invite teams like Tunisia, Egypt, Zaire they made them play Iran B or Tehran XI. Also Iran did not have a women's national team.
Under IRI, Iran has achieved more in Sports, specially Summer Olympic Games. Basketball improved alot as well. So has Volleyball. Iranian female won a medal at Olympic Games. This period has its own challenges and questionable policies. Iran football team qualified for 1980 Olympic Games, yet boycotted because of politics. This period in the 1980s, could have easily played friendly matches with friend countries such as Algeria, Libya, Syria, India or Latin American teams but didn't, only played their military teams, club teams. When they played Eastern Europeans it was either their clubs or youth teams. Things only started to pick up for Iran Football from 1998, that's when Iran played really good opponents after that. Germany (2004), Mexico (2000 & 2007), Croatia (1998 & 2006), Brazil (2010), Russia (2011 & 2017), Sweden (2015), Chile (1998 & 2015), Denmark (1999). There were other friendly games with likes of Cameroon (1992), Nigeria (1998 Carlsberg Cup) but those were mostly their reserve players. Iran women's team formed in 2005. In this period, Nasser Noamooz, Mohsen Safaei Farahani, Ali Kafashian were perhaps the smartest Presidents of FFIRI.
Iranians must learn how to have national pride and put the interests of the nation before their own. Ta zamani ke khaen o dozd vojood dashteh bashe, be jayi nemirese. Khaen o Dozd hamishe vojood dashteh. Moshkel ine ke tedadeshoon hala kheili ziyad shode.

Conveniently forgot to mention that we were by far Asia's best team under Pahlavi. We won 3 Asian Cups in a row there. Put in a very good performance in 1978 when there were only 16 teams in the World Cup.

You criticize Pahlavi for not playing one game vs. Israel but forget an era of anti-Jewish policies of IR - refusing to play Israel in anything, ever (and people crying about not mixing politics and sports).

Also forgot to conveniently forget to mention an entire era of gender apartheid under IRI (the only women forced to wear hijabs in the world while playing sports).

Political prisoners? They arrested Safaei Farahani - someone you mentioned as being one of the better ones. Tons of people have bee n blacklisted by IR, such as Ali Daei, Adel Ferdosipour etc.

It seems you're forgetting your own philosophies. We have just had our best athletes in this era, are you going to give IRI credit for mother's giving birth too?

Mention specific policies that IRI has helped to foster growth. If we look at results, it's clear as day which era was better. These akhoonds don't know the difference between a football ball and the shape of their fat stomachs - and that round, disgusting thing they physically imprint on their foreheads to give off the vibe of piety.

[Rooyintan]

Conveniently forgot to mention that we were by far Asia's best team under Pahlavi. We won 3 Asian Cups in a row there. Put in a very good performance in 1978 when there were only 16 teams in the World Cup.
You criticize Pahlavi for not playing one game vs. Israel but forget an era of anti-Jewish policies of IR - refusing to play Israel in anything, ever (and people crying about not mixing politics and sports).
Also forgot to conveniently forget to mention an entire era of gender apartheid under IRI (the only women forced to wear hijabs in the world while playing sports).
Political prisoners? They arrested Safaei Farahani - someone you mentioned as being one of the better ones.
It seems you're forgetting your own philosophies. We have just had our best athletes in this era, are you going to give IRI credit for mother's giving birth too?
Mention specific policies that IRI has helped to foster growth. If we look at results, it's clear as day which era was better. These akhoonds don't know the difference between a football ball and the shape of their fat stomachs - and that round, disgusting thing they physically imprint on their foreheads to give off the vibe of piety.

I am not attacking Pahlavi or IRI, I just put it as it was and is. Pahlavi had warm relations with almost the whole world but did jack in setting up women's national team or play many "A" international games. As I said 1925-1963 was the darkest period in Iranian Football. Also Iran could don't do jack about Gulf Cup which was founded in 1970 and could not defend "Persian Gulf" name and lost Bahrain an Iranian territory. Pahlavi real golden era in Football was when Kambiz Atabai, Frank O'Farrell and Heshmat Mohajerani were in charge. That's when the World started respecting Iran national team, ofcourse apart from Scotland who partied before their match with Team Melli at 1978 World Cup. Although sport performance was poor at Summer Olympics in the entire Pahlavi era.

1964 onwards Iranians have to thank Iran Novin Party if not for their policies perhaps we would not see Iran win 3 Asia Cup & 3 Olympic Games appearance & 1 World Cup.

Safaei Farahani, Iran participcated in Carlsberg Cup and Kirin Challenge, none of the BS like now boycott because sponsor is Alcohol or Beer Brewing Company What I mean in his era, Team Melli started playing good opponents in friendly matches or tournaments.

[golffan]

Guys
Don’t listen to this fellow Rooyintan’s garbage.
He is definitely a IR regime’s agent and his garbage is intended as a propaganda for the this terrorist regime.

Don’t let low-lifes play around with your mind. Look at the situation in Iran. Your country is devastated. Regime is selling parts of your country to foreigners. And then ask, how could such a terrorist regime that is destroying your country be good for the sports.

Any success internationally is the result of Iranian talents and not due to regime planning. The same talent would have been 1000 times more successful under the Pahlavi Dynasti.

Be alert of the traitors like this guy. He is most likely either a communist or a IR agent.


Javid Shah
Payendeh Iran
Payande

[taremiscores]

I am not attacking Pahlavi or IRI, I just put it as it was and is. Pahlavi had warm relations with almost the whole world but did jack in setting up women's national team or play many "A" international games. As I said 1925-1963 was the darkest period in Iranian Football. Also Iran could don't do jack about Gulf Cup which was founded in 1970 and could not defend "Persian Gulf" name and lost Bahrain an Iranian territory. Pahlavi real golden era in Football was when Kambiz Atabai, Frank O'Farrell and Heshmat Mohajerani were in charge. That's when the World started respecting Iran national team, ofcourse apart from Scotland who partied before their match with Team Melli at 1978 World Cup. Although sport performance was poor at Summer Olympics in the entire Pahlavi era.

1964 onwards Iranians have to thank Iran Novin Party if not for their policies perhaps we would not see Iran win 3 Asia Cup & 3 Olympic Games appearance & 1 World Cup.

Safaei Farahani, Iran participcated in Carlsberg Cup and Kirin Challenge, none of the BS like now boycott because sponsor is Alcohol or Beer Brewing Company What I mean in his era, Team Melli started playing good opponents in friendly matches or tournaments.

Who had a women team back then, especially in the Middle East? Now every country has one and we're the only one who forces hijab on our women on the field and at home!! How can you forget this???

You're comparing today's women (around the world) situation to 60 years ago?