Iran's Football Federation executive board is reportedly considering a drastic measure that could see former Esteghlal coach Pitso Mosimane banned from Iranian football for life.
According to Iranian outlet Varzesh3, the proposal, put forward by the Federation's Regulations Development and Implementation Committee, has been sent to the Board of Directors for approval. If passed, this ban would extend to any foreign coach or player who has previously been involved in legal disputes with Iranian clubs, particularly those resulting in financial penalties from FIFA or the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The controversy surrounding Mosimane began when he left Esteghlal, a club in the Iranian Pro League, after only four months at the helm, with the coach's camp citing unpaid salaries for the decision.
His sudden decision to unilaterally terminate his contract caused significant backlash, particularly due to his hefty reported $1.3 (±R24 million) million contract amount. His departure, which was not in accordance with Iranian football's expectations of foreign contracts, has only exacerbated the financial instability faced by many domestic clubs.
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The inability of Iranian clubs to honour foreign contracts, coupled with the rising exchange rates, has been a long-standing issue in the Iranian football scene. The country's football clubs have been struggling to meet their financial obligations to foreign players and coaches, leading to more frequent complaints and disputes.
This growing wave of dissatisfaction has prompted the Federation to implement more stringent regulations and restrictions.
The new proposal aims to address this issue by barring foreign professionals with a history of legal disputes from engaging in Iranian football. In addition, the Federation is considering additional measures such as budget ceilings, restrictions on signing contracts with foreigners, and imposing stricter regulations on foreign players and coaches with a history of costly legal rulings against Iranian clubs.
As the proposal moves forward, it reflects the Iranian Football Federation's desire to prevent further financial strain on local clubs and to ensure that foreign professionals are held accountable for their contracts. The decision on whether this ban will be enacted will depend on the approval of the Federation's Board of Directors.
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