From the Downfall of Banisadr to Evin Prison; Kafashian Has Left for Good

Ali Kafashian, one of the longest-serving sports managers in the Islamic Republic of Iran, has stepped down from the presidency of the Futsal Committee, marking his exit from the Football Federation. This forced change comes in the wake of a law prohibiting the employment of retirees and ends nearly four decades of Kafashian's involvement at the highest levels of sports management in Iran. He was a national sprint hurdler from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, quickly transitioning into managerial positions. At just 27 years old, while still an athlete, he unexpectedly became the president of the Athletics Federation and held a position at the Central Bank. With a disheveled beard typical of many revolutionaries in the early 1980s, he was an employee of the Central Bank and became the director of currency supervision in 1979. Regarding this, he told Khabar Online, 'I was a member of the Islamic Association. With the increasing rift between Rajai and Banisadr, I was relaying information from the Central Bank to Nourbakhsh so that he would know what Banisadr's supporters were doing, and we worked to have him overthrown.' The sports weekly Tamashagaran reported that Kafashian prays the morning prayer at the local mosque. He is known for his quick adaptation to the different factions that take control of the government. He served as the sports and federation affairs deputy for the Physical Education Organization for three years and also chaired the Overseas Council. He was president of the Athletics Federation for a total of 17 years over two separate terms. From 2004, he served as the Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee for five years. His record also includes overseeing various federations such as martial arts, gymnastics, bowling and billiards, equestrian, chess, rowing, and water skiing. The most controversial period of Kafashian's career was the last decade when he entered football. He was supposed to play the role of a nominal rival to Mohammad Ali Abadi, but FIFA's opposition to Abadi's candidacy led to Kafashian becoming the only remaining candidate for the presidency. He stated on state television, 'I mistakenly became the president of the federation. I had tough days in football. Initially, this position was unfamiliar to me. Although I had been in sports for 30 years, football has its own atmosphere.' This 'mistaken' entry into football led to a tumultuous decade of presidency. Since 2016, he has been the vice president of the federation under Mehdi Taj and the head of the Futsal Committee. Kafashian's time in football also brought him behind the bars of Evin Prison. He mentioned that he was only answering questions regarding his imprisoned advisor, Shahab Dadgarnejad, and was able to clear himself of any suspicion. However, Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, the Tehran prosecutor, referred to Kafashian's arrest, stating, 'After his arrest at the Evin prison prosecutor's office, Kafashian was released on bail and investigations will continue.' Media reported that Brigadier Aziz Mohammadi posted bail for Kafashian's release from detention. Kafashian's complaint against Branko Ivankovic to Interpol over tax debts was one of the most newsworthy events during his management. However, Ivankovic successfully sued the Iranian Football Federation for failing to fulfill its obligations, resulting in a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport ordering the federation to pay $400,000. Following the appointment of Ali Daei as the national team coach, Kafashian told Adel Ferdowsipour that he did not even have a glass in his hand to move. These remarks confirmed the interference of then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the selection of the national team coach, although this interference led to Daei's dismissal, which provoked a strong and prolonged protest from him. After being re-elected as president of the federation, Kafashian told reporters whether he now had a glass in his hand, 'Many things have come to my hand, and with the experience I have gained, now I have the glass in my hand.' In the final days of Ahmadinejad's presidency, he organized a symbolic farewell match for Ahmadinejad with the proposal of Mehdi Mohammad Nabi. Kafashian's son's exemption from military service also made headlines. In 2003, he was named as a reserve in the relay team at the Asian Indoor Championships. Iran became champion, and Ehsan received a championship certificate without having run. According to the Tamashagaran weekly, he was exempted from military service with that certificate. He entered university without an entrance exam and was also employed by the Ministry of Oil. Now, with the departure of Mohammad Reza Saket and Ali Kafashian, the sports website Varzesh 3 has reported that 'we should expect the resignation of other retired managers from the Football Federation, including Fereydoun Esfahaniyan, head of the referees committee, and Haidar Baharvand from the league organization.' According to documents obtained by Radio Farda, Mr. Shahab Dadgarnejad has been acquitted of the charges against him.