Tehran
Less than 6 month from his appointment as Team Melli the Belgian Bart Caubergh has resigned his post as Physical Trainer or Team Melli.
The 28-year-old ex- Al Jazira coach who was appointed by the IRIFF on Auguste 2012 replaced the departed Irishman Mick McDormott, who left the team in July to join Dubai club in the UAE. Bart Caubergh began his coaching career in 2010 for Belgian football team KRC Genk, before joining Emirati club Al Jazira in 2011.
The reason for his departure is unconfirmed, however there has been strong speculation that the Belgian has not been regularly paid and some large amount of payments has been outstanding for a few months now. It is believed Caubergh resigned his post by submitting an email to the head of the Football Federation.
Caubergh departure comes in a crucial time for Team Melli which is fighting desperately for a place in the FIFA World Cup finals Brazil 2014. Iran is currently third in the group behind Korea Republic and Uzbekistan while both Qatar and Lebanon are close to Iran and not yet out of the race.
The head of IRIFF , Al Kaffashian has hinted several times that his administration is having financial difficulties and with the current devaluing of the Iranian Riyal against the US Dollars , the problem is compounded further. IRIFF is seeking assistance form the Ministry of Sport to support Iran’s team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals.