Letter From Edson Tavares About Iranian Football

GOAL - Brazilian coach Edson Tavares is an experienced football man and has spent time in Iran with Sepahan FC.

Recently, he read Afshin Afshar's article that appeared on Goal.com on January 7 (see http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=204509). He wanted to reply to the points raised by the Iranian football specalist.

Dear football fans:

First of all I would like to wish everyone a very happy, joyful, and full of love 2007.

Afshin, I read your article regarding ten steps that would improve Iranian football in 2007. I fully agree with most of your points, but I would also discuss a few of them from a different point of view.

In Steps nine and eight you mention the need for a move towards professionalism and improving TV broadcasting of the games.

Switching to a professional football culture is not easy; as a matter of fact it could be very difficult for players. Iran has to start with U12, U14, U16, and other youth level with professional education integrated football programs.

Today the situation in Iranian football is far from ideal. Players do not have tactical and physical discipline. More personal discipline is also to be desired. To improve this situation and keep up with the world of professional football, Iran must act quickly.

Iranian football today very much resembles that of China’s 10 years ago when I started working there. Players get big contracts, and in general are more aware of their rights, but ignore or lack the understanding of their obligations towards their clubs in return. To make it even more difficult, there are no laws that govern these contracts and the player vs club relationships and responsibilities.

You also mention the fact that there are very few private football clubs in Iran. That is correct. In 2005-06 season only Esteghlal of Ahvaz and Shamooshak were private. This is very similar to China 10 years ago. But today only one Chinese club is owned by the state -the rest are all private.

Things are changing in Iran, but it is a very slow change. Changing this culture will be a huge project. This is in most parts because the culture is deeply rooted in the social infrastructure and thinking of the people.

Iranian National TV is also state owned, same goes for radio, stadiums, and many other things. So you see how all of these issues are interrelated and can not be looked at separately. The fact that the Government is involved makes change very complicated and difficult.

The problems with stadiums, attracting the fans, marketing, etc. are all smaller pieces of the bigger puzzle.

The fact that everything is managed centrally makes any change very challenging.

In my opinion, the issue of sports medicine that you bring up in step five is the most important. It is unbelievable how far behind Iran is in this area. During my time in Sepahan, I saw the club suffer because of this and I imagine it is not any better for other clubs.

The clubs have to realize that their players are their investments. Every time a player is injured and is forced out of action longer than necessary due to inefficient and/or poor medical care the club is losing money.

A simple knee ligament surgery requires eight to twelve months of recovery in Iran. This is almost comparable to 1980's medical standards!

Football management is also very poor. As a matter of fact, there is a lack of professional football management at all levels. The general thinking is that with a two week FIFA sponsored course or seminar one can become manager of a professional football club!

How could someone with no practical experience be expected to set business goals, develop long term planning, manage a multimillion Dollar budgets, do cost analysis, and set success measures? This is exactly why clubs are losing money in Iran.

Finally, in my opinion, Iran is a very privileged country when it comes to football. Like Brazil the talent is there, but they have a long way to go before all this talent can be put to good use so that greater achievements are made.

Sincerely;

Edson Tavares



Thanks to Afshin Afshar

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