Top Iranian officials arrested in corruption investigation

TEHRAN – Several high-ranking Iranian football officials have been arrested on suspicion of corruption and bribery.

Khodadad Afsharian, chairman of the Iran Football League referees committee, was sentenced to prison for bribery, as were Soheil Mahdi, chairman of the Iran Football League organization, and Fariborz Mahmoudzadeh, former chairman of the Iranian first division.

The investigation began with the complaint filed by National Iranian Copper Industries against the Mes Rafsanjan club, which triggered the first investigations during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

According to local media, several officers have been investigated in this case so far.

National football is very popular in Iran, but the corruption scandal has shocked fans.