Carlos Queiroz statements about the sub-standard of the Iranian domestic league players , has been creating all sort of ripples, debates and anger.

The most effected people have been the coaches of major clubs like Esteghlal, Persepolis, Saipa whose coaches reacted and questioned the motives of Team Melli coach and his undermining of their hard work at club levels. 

Branco Ivankovic , the Head Coach of Persepolis club, reacted yesterday and commented on the liaison and cooperation between Team Melli and Club coaches and hope of better communication for the benefit of Iran’s football. “if there was any hope of a meeting or interaction. I believe it does not exist anymore”  He said: “No, I do not think we will get this engagement and arrange such meetings. I’ve been here for three years now. During this time, only once, a representative from Team Melli coaching staff turned up to offer some help in our practice session. With such interest level, I do not think the work will reach the meeting and discussion stage!”

The Croat head coach of Persepolis also spoke about the domestic player and whether their standards & quality is so weak that they need to be more in the service of the national team? ” Certainly not, I think the opposite, “he said. “It has been proven in many games as well. I do not know how is this idea about domestic players have originated from initially , but I beg to differ.”

Branko commented on why Esteghlal and Saipa used with their Team Melli players in the league this round which was concluded, but Persepolis refused to utilize them for their match against Saipa Alborz which they lost 2-1. He emphasized ” I did not use the national team players because I did not know what situation and conditions are they coming from after their two matches. They were in the service of the national team for more than 10 days and I did not know what the situation would be. Mohammad Ansari is still in pain after the national team trips, and I did not want to risk this player.