Tehran, Sept 14, IRNA -- The Physical Education Organization (PEO) President, Mohsen Mehralizadeh, appointed Mohammad Daadkan as the new head of Iran's Football Federation (IFF).

Talking to IRNA late Friday, the senior advisor to PEO boss, Issa Es'haqi said, the appointment was fixed after the resignation of Mohsen Safaei-Farahani.

Daadkan has been recently installed as the head of the Iranian Olympic soccer team that is to compete in the 2002 Asian Games in Pusan, South Korea.

According to Es'haqi, the PEO chief has extended his appreciation to Safaei-Farahani for his great efforts during his 57-month tenure in the federation.

Safaei-Farahani announced his surprise resignation here Thursday, citing excessive pressure by those "who have mobilized to destroy the national team and soccer".

He made the announcement at the inauguration of the new premises of the Iranian Football Federation, saying he thought he could not continue in this post under the present situation.

"I am sacrificing myself to let the national team continue its work with peace...and those who are bearing a grudge against me to get their hands off the team," Farahani added.

He likened Iran's football to an orphan which is raised by ruthless stepmothers.

"The working environment in Iran's football is unhealthy...that is why I decided to give this child back to its stepmothers to save it from being sliced to pieces," he said.

Farahani came into office as the head of the IFF four years and nine months ago. He has come under mounting criticism because of Iranian team's dismal performances in regional and international matches.

Iran failed to make it to the World Cup in Japan and South Korea this year after losing to Ireland on aggregate.

... Payvand News - 9/14/02 ... --