Carlos Queiroz, the head coach of Iran, blasted Juergen Klinsmann for criticizing his team’s World Cup behavior, calling his comments a “disgrace to football” and urged him to resign from his position as FIFA president while Iran’s soccer association requested an explanation.
Iran asks Klinsmann to resign from FIFA following a ‘outrageous’ censure of the squad
In remarks made while serving as an analyst for BBC, Germany’s 1990 World Cup champion Klinsmann accused Iran of deliberate gamesmanship during their astounding 2-0 stoppage-time victory over Wales on Friday and claimed Queiroz’s track record with other national teams made him the ideal choice for Iran.
With his review of the game on Friday, Klinsmann stated, “That’s their culture and that’s their way of doing it, and that’s why Carlos Queiroz, he fits extremely well in the Iranian national team.
“This was planned, and it’s not an accident at all. It’s just how they play it and interact with the referee; it’s part of their culture. They are always in your face on the field and always in their ears.
Tuesday’s Group B encounter between Iran and the United States will be pivotal, as Iran has a chance to advance to the round of 16 for the first time. No one could compromise the integrity of his squad, according to Queiroz, 69, who has coached for Real Madrid, Portugal, Manchester United, and Iran during his two terms as manager.
In an open letter to Klinsmann, he made comments that were also made by the Iran squad, including, “You question my integrity with a usual skewed assessment of superiority.”
The Iranian football association said it had asked FIFA for clarification and requested Klinsmann apologize and leave the FIFA Technical Study Group. Furthermore, it asked Klinsmann to the World Cup training camp of the Iranian national team “to give a lecture on the millennial Persian culture and the ideals of football and sport.”
“He will not be held accountable for his infamously spectacular dives as a former athlete. And without a doubt, as a professional football player, he won’t be held accountable for any other political or national-historical issues, the statement to media said.
In prior comments, Queiroz suggested that Klinsmann get to know his squad and discover how much they value and love the game of football.