Carlos Queiroz calls for Jurgen Klinsmann to resign from FIFA role following 'outrageous remarks' about Iran
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Updated 27/11/2022 at 13:07 GMT
Iran manager Carlos Queiroz has hit out at FIFA’s Jurgen Klinsmann for “outrageous remarks” he made about the Iran national team. Former Germany striker Klinsmann claimed gamesmanship was in Iran’s “culture and how they play”, to which Queiroz demanded Klinsmann leave his role at FIFA. In response, Klinsmann said he would call Queiroz to try and "calm things down".
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Jurgen Klinsmann says he will call Iran manager Carlos Queiroz to defuse an escalating row over the German's comments on the Iran national team.
Queiroz demanded Klinsmann resign from his role on FIFA's technical study group following “outrageous remarks” he made about the Iran national team.
Klinsmann claimed “gamesmanship” was part of Iran’s culture and it is “how they play” following their 2-0 win over Wales on Friday.
“Yes, that’s their culture,” he said. “Their way of doing it, and that is why Queiroz fits really well [with] the Iranian national team,” Klinsmann told Gabby Logan after the BBC presenter had suggested Iran just about stay on the right side of the law.
“[Queiroz] struggled in South America, he failed to qualify with Colombia and then he failed with Egypt to qualify and then he went back and guided Iran, who he worked already with for a long, long time. So this is not by coincidence, this is done on purpose.
“This is just part of their culture and how they play, then they work the referee, you saw the bench always jumping up, working the fourth official and the linesman, constantly in their ears, constantly in your face.
“Kieffer Moore will probably tell you more after the game about little incidents that we didn’t see.”
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DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 19: FIFA TSG Member Juergen Klinsmann attends the Technical Study Group Press Conference at Virtual Stadium 1 on November 19, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Image credit: Eurosport
Queiroz responded to Klinsmann’s comments in a series of tweets on Saturday evening, before inviting the German to visit Iran’s camp and socialise with the team and learn about their culture.
“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,” Queiroz said. “Nobody can hurt our integrity if it is not at our level, of course.
“Even saying so, we would like to invite you as our guest, to come to our national team camp, socialise with Iran players and learn from them about the country, the people of Iran, the poets and art, the algebra, all the millennial Persian culture. And also listen from our players how much they love and respect football.”
“As [an] American/German, we understand you’re no supporter. No problem. And despite your outrageous remarks on BBC trying to undermine our efforts, sacrifices and skills, we promise you that we will not produce any judgments regarding your culture, roots and background and that you will always be welcome to our family.”
He also questioned Klinsmann’s FIFA responsibilities and called for his resignation.
“At the same time, we just want to follow with full attention what will be the decision of Fifa regarding your position as a member of Qatar 2022 Technical Study Group. Because, obviously, we expect you to resign before you visit our camp.”
Klinsmann has now responded to Queiroz's claims and explained he would like to "calm things down" with Iran's manager after his comments were "taken out of context".
"There was stuff really taken out of context. I will try to give him a call and calm things down," Klinsmann told BBC Breakfast on Sunday. "I have never criticised Carlos or the Iranian bench. Some even thought I was criticising the referee because he didn't do anything about the way they were behaving on the bench.
"All I described was their emotional way of doing things, which is actually admirable in a certain way. The whole bench lives the game. They're jumping up and down and Carlos is a very emotional coach, he's constantly on the sidelines trying to give his players all his energy and direction."
Iran have endured an unwanted spotlight during the tournament because of political controversy at home.
They began their World Cup campaign with a 6-2 defeat against England, before beating Wales 2-0 to put themselves in a favourable position to qualify from Group B.
They face USA in their final group match on Tuesday, where Klinsmann spent five years as head coach between 2011 and 2016.
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