Asian Cup 2015: Iran coach Carlos Queiroz slams FIFA as World Cup prizemoney withheld
IRAN coach Carlos Queiroz has slammed FIFA for mixing sport with politics, with the battling nation yet to receive $9.73m prizemoney from Brazil 2014.
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IRAN coach Carlos Queiroz has slammed FIFA for mixing sport with politics, with the battling nation yet to receive $9.73m prizemoney from Brazil 2014.
Queiroz hailed his young squad after they overcame a woeful Asian Cup preparation to beat Bahrain 2-0 in Melbourne on Sunday, highlighted by Ehsan Hajsafi’s goal of the tournament contender.
Iran managed just one pre-Asian Cup friendly after Iraq offered to cover costs, with the cash-strapped federation reportedly unable to finance games.
Queiroz reversed his decision to quit after the 2014 World Cup — believed to have been motivated the economic sanctions that still hinder Iran — and issued a cry for help.
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“It’s part of FIFA spirit that politics should not interfere with the game,’’ Queiroz said.
“Iran was in the World Cup, it’s been very difficult (since). We’ve suffered a lot to prepare the team and the players.
“After the World Cup it’s worse because all the money is stuck with FIFA and the AFC (Asian Confederation) and when you come to a competition like this you have 80 million with expectations, dreaming and supporting the team.
“I’m a citizen of the world, I’m a coach, I don’t understand.
“When we don’t have the resources to play games, this is not fair for football and for the young players in Iran.
“It’s not right because Bahrain came here with nine games in their legs, we had two games.
“We did it because Korea did us a favour and so did Iraq, they paid some expenses here.
“I think it’s time we got some help from people that can help.
“Iran cannot progress and it’s not fair for the players and the sport, they are victimised by the limitations of the sanctions.”
Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) president Ali Kafashian last month said that FIFA president Sepp Blatter had promised to help secure the release of the funds.
Queiroz said the issue was hampering his efforts to regenerate Iran’s squad, after starting inexperienced duo Vouria Ghafouri and Morteza Pouraliganji (five caps combined) against Bahrain, and bringing on three young subs, including Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
“It’s not about fair play, fair play is to give these kids opportunities to play international matches,’’ he said.
“They deserve the same opportunity as all other players in the world. But we need to make decisions according to reality.
“So to do what we’ve been doing with the kids, the new players, I feel very proud.”
Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Iran coach Carlos Queiroz slams FIFA as World Cup prizemoney withheld
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