Japan Football Association (JFA), on 12 August, signed on a partnership MoU with IR Iran Football Federation (IRIFF) at Iran National Football Academy in Tehran, Iran. Both football governing bodies will now cooperate with each other for further development of football in Iran and Japan.

JFA President DAINI Kuniya expressed “I am very honoured by this partnership with IR Iran Football Federation which has been a good rival as well as a good friend. This will surely strengthen the friendship and trust for each other.” 　TASHIMA Kohzo, Vice President and Executive General Secretary also emphasised “As we signed on the partnership between Iran and Japan, it is our prime objective for Asia as a whole to work together in unity and solidarity for the future of football in Asia.”

The MoU between JFA and IRIFF aims at the following main areas of cooperation:

a. League Operations
　 Including match operation, media operation, marketing, commercial rights management, club management.
b. Coaching education, including coaching for goalkeepers and physical coaching
c. Referees’ development and exchanges
d. Vitalising the women’s football (League,Clubs,National Teams)
e. Friendly matches, camping for National Teams of each age category
f. Youth development program
g. Grassroots structure review
h. Development of Futsal
i. Exchanges of experience and expertise in training in sports science and sports medicine
j. Exchanges of experience and expertise in assisting the second career of retired Professional Players.
k. Exchange of information on marketing issues
l. Exchange of knowledge on establishing and operating the Football Academy
m. Exchange programs for technical personnel, administrative and management staff
n. Exchange of experience and expertise in the construction and management of sports installations, materials, sports equipment and scientific equipment
o. Exchange of experience and expertise in match fixing prevention
p. Exchange of experience and expertise in IT solutions and educational programmes.

JFA and IRIFF have been building close relationship over the years. This time, in order to push the level of mutual cooperation to another stage, both football governing bodies have agreed to sign on this MoU.