Mohammad Dadkan
Encyclopedia
Dr. Mohammad Hossein Dadkan (born 2 February 1953 in Tehran
, Iran
) is an football player, having spent most of his playing career in Persepolis FC
. He served as President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation
from April 2002 until April 2006.
, Iran
. His family was from Mashhad
. He graduated from Shiraz University
in 1977.
in 1978. He made his debut in match against Germany
. He made his last national match during 1982 Asian Games
and was retired from international matches after tournament.
, the President of IRIFF at the time, appointed Dadkan as the head of Iran's Premier Football League
(IPL). Later on Dadkan became Farahni's assistance as well. But the alliance didn't last, and before long Dadkan started criticizing his boss publicly. This was a surprise as Farahani still remains one of the best, most creative and devoted IRIFF Presidents to this date. Mohsen Farahani resigned from his position after Iranian national team failed to reach the World Cup Finals which was held in Korea and Japan in 2002. Dadkan took the position and promised to refine all those things that he thought were wrong.
, the manager of Iranian national football team, and replaced him with his close friend Homayoon Shahrokhi. The decision came as huge surprise to both fans and critics since Shahrokhi's coaching career is not a respectable one and managing the national team was and still is way out of his league. But Dadkan insisted that he has made the right choice, but the results showed something else. The national team lost at home to Jordan and came very close to being eliminated from 2006 FIFA World Cup (qualification) in the very first round. Dadkan was forced to bring back Branko Ivanković
, but didn't sack Shahrokhi. Instead, he appointed Shahrokhi as Directing Manager of national team, a title that never existed before. This is among one of many controversial decisions that Dadkan has made. In fact, forcing the former manager in the new manager's coaching staff has never happened before in history of football.
During Iran's World Cup qualification campaign, Dadkan almost showed up at Team Melli's every training session and went along with them to all away games in foreign countries. This has raised many questions about his interference with coaching. The fact that Ivanković's team still plays a lot like Shahrokhi's team, very defensive and cautious, added to the controversy about Dadkan and Shahrokhi's interference with Branko Ivanković's decisions. Ivanković has never complained so far.
But Dadkan's darkest time came at the start of season 2005-2006, when Rah Ahan FC
, one of the teams who were promoted to IPL from lower division used false documents on one of their players. According to the IRIFF's laws, the team who uses false documents is known guilty and the results in all the games that they used that player should change to 3-0 to the opponent. By applying this rule Rah Ahan FC
should have remained in lower division and Sanat Naft FC should have been promoted. But after a long weeks of debate behind closed doors at IRIFF, the disciplinary committee announced that Rah Ahan FC is guilty, however they will be promoted to IPL. Later, one of the members of the committee revealed that Dadkan had been putting pressure on the committee to keep Rah Ahan FC in the IPL. There were many other incidents when IRIFF simply didn't apply the rules, especially when the decisions involved one of few rich and powerful teams in the IPL. Dadkan's involvement in these cases is undeniable.
Mohammad Dadkan was fired after Iran's third and final game of their World Cup 2006 campaign. A majority vote by IRIFF officials terminated him from his position. It was the involvement of the government run Physical Education organisation that lead to Iran's suspension from international football by FIFA
on 22 November 2006.
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
) is an football player, having spent most of his playing career in Persepolis FC
Persepolis FC
Persepolis Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Tehran. Persepolis F.C. is the football club of the multisport Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club....
. He served as President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation
Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation
The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran ' is the governing body for football in Iran. It was founded in 1920, and has been a member of FIFA since 1945. It is also a member of the Asian Football Confederation...
from April 2002 until April 2006.
Early life
He was born on 2 February 1953 in TehranTehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. His family was from Mashhad
Mashhad
Mashhad , is the second largest city in Iran and one of the holiest cities in the Shia Muslim world. It is also the only major Iranian city with an Arabic name. It is located east of Tehran, at the center of the Razavi Khorasan Province close to the borders of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. Its...
. He graduated from Shiraz University
Shiraz University
Shiraz University , formerly known as Pahlavi University, is a public university located in Shiraz, Iran. It is one of the major universities of Iran....
in 1977.
Club career
He started his footballing career in the now dissolved Bootan F.C. in Iran. Before long he moved to Persepolis F.C., one of the two Iranian powerhouses, and spent 8 years playing for Persepolis. He hung his boots at 27 and ended his career playing for Persepolis F.C.International career
He was invited to national teamIran national football team
The national football team of Iran represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran...
in 1978. He made his debut in match against Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
. He made his last national match during 1982 Asian Games
1982 Asian Games
The 9th Asian Games were held from November 19, 1982 to December 4, 1982 in Delhi, India.An incredible 74 Asian and Asian Games records were broken. This was also the first Asiad to be held under the aegis of the Olympic Council of Asia.-Sports:...
and was retired from international matches after tournament.
IRIFF career
In 2002 Mohsen Safaei FarahaniMohsen Safaei Farahani
-Career:He is a member of Mosharekat Party, the main reformist party in Iran under President Khatami. He was a Majlis representative from Tehran from 1999 to 2003. He was also the President of the Iranian Football Federation from 1998 to 2002.-IFF Transitory Board:...
, the President of IRIFF at the time, appointed Dadkan as the head of Iran's Premier Football League
Iran's Premier Football League
The Iran Pro League , is a professional football league competition for clubs located at the highest level of the Iranian football league system.The league system resembles the system being used in England currently...
(IPL). Later on Dadkan became Farahni's assistance as well. But the alliance didn't last, and before long Dadkan started criticizing his boss publicly. This was a surprise as Farahani still remains one of the best, most creative and devoted IRIFF Presidents to this date. Mohsen Farahani resigned from his position after Iranian national team failed to reach the World Cup Finals which was held in Korea and Japan in 2002. Dadkan took the position and promised to refine all those things that he thought were wrong.
Controversies
At the start of his presidency Dadkan sacked Branko IvankovićBranko Ivankovic
Branko Ivanković is a Croatian football coach and former player. After a 12-year playing career at Varteks Varaždin, Ivanković started his coaching career at the same club in 1991. He led the Iranian national football team at the 2006 World Cup...
, the manager of Iranian national football team, and replaced him with his close friend Homayoon Shahrokhi. The decision came as huge surprise to both fans and critics since Shahrokhi's coaching career is not a respectable one and managing the national team was and still is way out of his league. But Dadkan insisted that he has made the right choice, but the results showed something else. The national team lost at home to Jordan and came very close to being eliminated from 2006 FIFA World Cup (qualification) in the very first round. Dadkan was forced to bring back Branko Ivanković
Branko Ivankovic
Branko Ivanković is a Croatian football coach and former player. After a 12-year playing career at Varteks Varaždin, Ivanković started his coaching career at the same club in 1991. He led the Iranian national football team at the 2006 World Cup...
, but didn't sack Shahrokhi. Instead, he appointed Shahrokhi as Directing Manager of national team, a title that never existed before. This is among one of many controversial decisions that Dadkan has made. In fact, forcing the former manager in the new manager's coaching staff has never happened before in history of football.
During Iran's World Cup qualification campaign, Dadkan almost showed up at Team Melli's every training session and went along with them to all away games in foreign countries. This has raised many questions about his interference with coaching. The fact that Ivanković's team still plays a lot like Shahrokhi's team, very defensive and cautious, added to the controversy about Dadkan and Shahrokhi's interference with Branko Ivanković's decisions. Ivanković has never complained so far.
But Dadkan's darkest time came at the start of season 2005-2006, when Rah Ahan FC
Rah Ahan FC
Rah Ahan Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Shahr-e-Rey. They currently play in the IPL.-Establishment:Rah Ahan was formed in 1937 in Tehran by Iran Railways and to this day the club still remains in their control...
, one of the teams who were promoted to IPL from lower division used false documents on one of their players. According to the IRIFF's laws, the team who uses false documents is known guilty and the results in all the games that they used that player should change to 3-0 to the opponent. By applying this rule Rah Ahan FC
Rah Ahan FC
Rah Ahan Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Shahr-e-Rey. They currently play in the IPL.-Establishment:Rah Ahan was formed in 1937 in Tehran by Iran Railways and to this day the club still remains in their control...
should have remained in lower division and Sanat Naft FC should have been promoted. But after a long weeks of debate behind closed doors at IRIFF, the disciplinary committee announced that Rah Ahan FC is guilty, however they will be promoted to IPL. Later, one of the members of the committee revealed that Dadkan had been putting pressure on the committee to keep Rah Ahan FC in the IPL. There were many other incidents when IRIFF simply didn't apply the rules, especially when the decisions involved one of few rich and powerful teams in the IPL. Dadkan's involvement in these cases is undeniable.
Mohammad Dadkan was fired after Iran's third and final game of their World Cup 2006 campaign. A majority vote by IRIFF officials terminated him from his position. It was the involvement of the government run Physical Education organisation that lead to Iran's suspension from international football by FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
on 22 November 2006.