The Mehdi Taj Case: The Competition of Accused Candidates for the Football Federation Presidency
According to an exclusive document from Iran Gate, the Tehran prosecutor has responded to a judicial inquiry by announcing the names of the candidates for the presidency of the Football Federation. Notably, the leading candidates with a chance to reach the presidency, Mehdi Taj, Mirshad Majedi, and Azizollah Mohammadi, each have more than one open accusation file. We must wait to see what the outcome of the upcoming election will be.
The former president of the Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, whose eligibility for the presidency has been confirmed according to published reports.
Documents released from the response to the judicial inquiry.
Who is Mehdi Taj?
Mehdi Taj was born on January 21, 1960, in Isfahan and served as the president of the Iranian Football Federation. He resigned on December 29, 2019, due to health issues. Previously, he was a board member of the Zob Ahan Isfahan, Sepahan Isfahan, Fajr Sepasi Shiraz clubs, and the Persepolis football club, and he also served as the CEO of Sepahan club. From 2001 for ten years, he was the managing director of the Jahan Football newspaper. From 2000 to 2005, he was the sales deputy and a board member of the Mobarakeh Steel Company in Isfahan. Additionally, since May 2020, he has been a member of the AFC Emergency Committee.
On May 7, 2016, with 50 votes out of 73 cast at the Football Federation assembly, Mehdi Taj became the new president of the Iranian Football Federation.
Resignation
Mehdi Taj resigned from the presidency of the Football Federation on December 29, 2019. He used poor physical condition and a heart attack as an excuse to avoid responding to the ambiguities raised in Marc Wilmots’ contract and stepped down from the presidency.
Registering for the Football Federation Elections
In July 2022, Mehdi Taj registered again for the Football Federation elections, and his eligibility was confirmed by the Federation’s preliminary committee. This registration was met with negative reactions from the football community.
