According to Tasnim news agency, it was March 1400 that the Asian Football Confederation’s professional licensing committee decided to suspend the Iranian Football Federation’s professional licensing committee.
In September this year, this working group investigated the shortcomings of the professional licensing committees of different countries, and the suspension of the relevant committee in the Tajikistan Football Federation was lifted, but Iran’s ban remained.
After the election of Mehdi Taj as the president of the Football Federation, he promised to solve this problem, and the AFC officially announced the end of this suspension.
The Asian Football Confederation wrote in a statement: The AFC Competitions Committee confirmed the latest decision of the Professional Licensing Working Group on December 9, 2022 (18 Azar 1401) to lift the suspension imposed on the Iranian Football Federation and agreed that the AFC will supervise the Professional Licensing Committee. The Iranian Federation should continue to review the adherence of this committee to the quality standard requirements of the professional license of the clubs.
Esteghlal and Persepolis teams could not participate in the 2022 Asian Champions League due to the lack of professional licensing.