<SPAN class=art-text><I>Zurich, 23 November 2006</I></SPAN> - <SPAN class=art-text>The FIFA Emergency Committee, composed of the FIFA President and one representative of each of the six confederations, yesterday (22 November 2006) decided to suspend the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation (IRIFF) from all international activity due to government interference in football matters and violation of Article 17 of the FIFA Statutes.
<P>The FIFA Emergency Committee took this decision after determining that the IRIFF was not adhering to the principles of the FIFA Statutes regarding the independence of member associations, the independence of the decision-making process of the football governing body in each country and the way in which changes in the leadership of associations are brought about.</P>
<P>The FIFA Emergency Committee further approved the following road map:</P>
<P>- Establishment of an IRIFF Normalisation Committee appointed by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the composition of which reflects the role of football’s stakeholders;<BR>- Drafting of new statutes on the basis of the FIFA Standard Statutes;<BR>- Organisation of new elections under the supervision of FIFA and the AFC after the approval of the above-mentioned new IRIFF statutes.<BR><BR>In August 2006, FIFA and the AFC gave the IRIFF a deadline of 15 November 2006 to reinstate its elected president, Dr Mohammed Dadgan, and to comply with the relevant provisions of the FIFA Statutes. In this respect, FIFA and the AFC adopted the clear position that Dr Dadgan and the members of his board remained the recognised and legitimate president and leadership of the IRIFF. This deadline was not met by the IRIFF.</P>
<P>The lifting of this suspension would depend on the above road map being accepted and fully implemented by the relevant authorities in Tehran.</P></SPAN><BR><SPAN class=art-text>Further information from:<BR>FIFA Media Department<BR><A href="mailto:media@fifa.org">media@fifa.org</SPAN> <BR></A>
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