| The Genealogy of Corruption in Iranian Futsal: The Role of the Subordinate Structure within the Football Federations Subsidiary in Shaping Corruption Mechanisms |
| Paper ID : 1674-SPORTCONGRESS |
| Authors |
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Mohammad ali Azarparvar1, Davood Nasr Esfahani *2, Mahboubeh Khodaparast2 1Ph.D Candidate in Sports Management, Department of Sport Management, Isf.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran. 2Department of Sport Management, Isf.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran. |
| Abstract |
| Introduction: The phenomenon of corruption in sports is a well-recognized challenge and cannot be dismissed merely as a collection of individual violations (Huber et al., 2025); rather, it is a complex interplay that has emerged within a specific historical, structural, and discursive context (Lundqvist et al., 2025). The primary focus of this research is to examine how a particular administrative structure has, over time, contributed to the development of corrupt relationships and habits, and how these relationships have been sustained and reproduced. Methods: This research was conducted using a genealogical approach, inspired by Michel Foucaults theoretical framework. Data were collected through the examination of archival documents (statutes, resolutions, historical meeting minutes, performance and financial reports, and press publications) and 15 in-depth interviews with experts, and were analyzed employing critical discourse analysis. Results: Based on the findings, corruption in futsal is the product of a "shadow governance" system that, with minimal oversight, has served as a breeding ground for corruption. The dependent political economy has made budget allocation contingent on personal relationships and rent-seeking practices. Corrupt behaviors, such as cronyism in securing managerial positions, have evolved into an ingrained habit for survival within the system. Meanwhile, the official discourse of "maintaining uniformity" and "frugality" is primarily employed to justify centralized control and overlook sustainable development. Conclusion: This research concludes that the root of corruption in futsal lies in its administrative and structural dependency on the football federation. Corruption is not merely a functional malfunction but rather the logical outcome of a flawed governance system characterized by concentrated power, and lacking in transparency and accountability. Therefore, any strategy to combat corruption must be a fundamentally disruptive one, and the only way to break free from this defective cycle is to establish an independent federation for futsal. |
| Keywords |
| Iranian Futsal, Foucauldian Analysis, Hegemonic Structures, Shadow Governance |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
