Iran coach Carlos Queiroz slammed German football legend Juergen Klinsmann for criticizing his team’s World Cup conduct, calling his remarks a “disgrace to football”, asking him to quit his FIFA post.
Iran’s football federation also demanded an apology.
In his analysis for BBC, 1990 World Cup winner Klinsmann charged Iran with systematic gamesmanship during their thrilling 2-0 win over Wales on Friday and asserted that Queiroz was the ideal choice for Iran due to his track record with other national teams.
“That’s their culture and that’s their way of doing it and that’s why Carlos Queiroz, he fits really well in the Iranian national team,” said Klinsmann, a former United States coach.
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“This is not by coincidence; this is all purposely. This is just part of their culture, that’s how they play it, and they work the referee … constantly in their ears, they’re constantly in your face on the field.”
It’s worth mentioning that Iran will take on the United States in a decisive Group B match on Tuesday and have a chance to reach the last 16 for the first time.
Queiroz, 69, who has been a coach with Real Madrid, Portugal and Manchester United and is in his second stint as Iran boss, said no one could hurt the integrity of his team.
“You question my character with a typical prejudiced judgment of superiority,” he said in a message to Klinsmann on social media, in remarks shared on by the Iran team.
“No matter how much I can respect what you did inside the pitch, those remarks about Iran culture, Iran national team and my players are a disgrace to football.”
Iran’s football federation on Sunday said it had sought clarity from FIFA and demanded Klinsmann apologize and resign from his role with the FIFA Technical Study Group.
