Asian Cup 2015: Iran coach Carlos Queiroz refuses to criticise referee Ben Williams for fear of backlash

IRAN coach Carlos Queiroz says if he speaks his mind about Ben Williams he will “finish his career” after the referee’s call cost his side against Iraq.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Iraqi players applaud as Referee Benjamin Williams gives Mehrdad Pooladi of Iran a red card after receiving his second yellow card for taking a dive during the 2015 Asian Cup match between Iran and Iraq at Canberra Stadium on January 23, 2015 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

IRAN coach Carlos Queiroz says if he speaks his mind about referee Ben Williams’ performance he will “finish his career” after his side was reduced to 10 men and controversially bundled out of the Asian Cup at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.

With the quarterfinal tied at 3-3 after 120 minutes of pulsating action Iraq won the shootout 7-6 to set up a semi final meeting with South Korea at Stadium Australia on Australia Day.

Queiroz was fuming when Williams expelled defender Mehrdad Pooladi after a second caution in the first half before awarding Iraq an extra time penalty.

VIDEO: IRAQ BEAT IRAN IN PENALTY THRILLER

He was at odds with Williams’ appointment for the knockout clash.

The Portuguese was fined $3000 for criticising the Australian 2014 FIFA World Cup referee after his side’s 2-0 group opening win over Bahrain in Brisbane.

“I don’t have many comments about Mr Williams,’’ Queiroz said.

“If I make comments today I think I will finish my career.

“I don’t think that after 33 years of my career I finish my career here with the comments and everything I say comes somebody behind (to fine me).

“I never criticised the ref in the first game I called attention that all the referees should pay more attention to some specific actions of the game... specific, some discipline

“I did it in the right way with good manners.

“For 100 years this not offensive, this is not insulting, it’s just the comment of a coach that has had 33 years of coaching.”

But the Portuguese queried whether Williams would “sleep tonight” claiming he would get on his knees asking why the Canberra-based referee had won the appointment in his home town.

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz held his tongue over referee Ben Williams’s decision.

Queiroz then apologised for not revealing exactly what he thought about Williams.

“Once again I cannot express how I feel,’’ he said.

“If I tell the truth with what everybody say today...I don’t know.”

With Queiroz reluctant to confess his true feelings about the A-League referee Iraq coach Rahdi Swadi says he is familiar with Williams’ style of refereeing.

“I reckon they (Iran) were under pressure,’’ Swadi said.

“The pressure came from the coaching staff, from their bench which is wrong.

“They scored the goal they were leading one nil they should have been a bit more relaxed especially where there was a situation between the goalkeeper and their player (before the send off).

“That’s on the field.

“I think this made a bad reputation for the competition.

“Regarding the referee I know him very well, he’s the type of referee that loves giving cards in situations and penalties we have had him before in our Qatar league (where Swadi is a club coach).”

Nine yellow cards and a red card were issued in quarterfinal.

While Swadi will lead a fatigued Iraq to Sydney’s semi final against South Korea Queiroz said he doesn’t know if he would continue coaching the Iranian national team after making the side No. 1 in Asia since he took the job in 2011.

The Portuguese said his head was too fuzzy to make a decision about his future despite having a contract believed to be until 2018.

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Iran coach Carlos Queiroz refuses to criticise referee Ben Williams for fear of backlash