Hamid Derakhshan , the head coach of Persepolis blasted Carlos Queiroz latest statements about him and Amir Ghalenoei , the Esteghlal coach.

In a short statement after the Perespolis team training in front of a large number of keen journalists awaiting his reaction to the verbal onslaught of Queiroz, Derakhsan who was clearly upset by the subject and wanted to refrain from commenting in the first place, was suddenly fired up and severally derided the Portuguese coach for what he called “Dishonorable rant”.

Persepolis coach said “this man ( Queiroz) is constantly telling us and reminding everybody that the referee was the reason behind Team Melli’s defeat. If we are to talk about refereeing mistakes, then what about that Uzbekistan game when the ball clearly passed Team Melli goal line but the referee did not see it? How come the referee was not the reason for Team Melli’s winning in that match? Your are looking for escape goats and culprits to justify the elimination Team Melli and conveniently found Amr Ghalenoei and Hamid Derkhshan as lucrative targets. These are unjustified feeble excuses you are offering.”

Derakhshan referring to the high wages of Team Melli coach said “ He is the world’s third or fourth most expensive coach. But I ask you all, what did he achieve for our football? The players that he has at his disposal are the end result of our hard work in the domestic league, the work of club coaches; it is not the product of Queiroz that he has brought from his home. What did you have up your sleeve for this nation’s football?  Have you developed this football to a world class standard, for instances? Have you introduce and played a beautiful football?”

Hamid Derakhshan then pointed to the past history of Queiroz and said “ The guy comes and publicly tarnish our image and insult us by referring to past events. I want to ask Mr. Queiroz, what about your own record and background? Mr. Queiroz your records are clear and everyone knows that the Real Madrid has kicked you out only after eight weeks in the job. A Portuguese player under you was busted on doping charges, and subsequently you were fired because of it. And there are other events. Now you are coming over here to teach us our destiny? Our football is bigger than people like you, and you do not have the rights to decide for us.”

Queiroz has singled out Derekhshan and Ghalenoei for special censure and accused them of being forces behind weakening of Team Melli spirit. The coach of Team Melli , said , both these two should have no place in Iran’s football ! Amir Ghalenoei , refrained from responding yesterday but said a special communique will be issued by him to refute Queiroz in the next few days.

 Team Melli will be arriving in Tehran on Monday.