Ali Kaffashian , the president of FFIRI said today that his federation is still actively negotiating with Queiroz on the contract renewal.
Kaffashian who claimed some months ago , that the deal was finalized between FFIRI and the Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz for a 4 year contract extension , is just pending a signature, has again changed his tone and said that both sides are now closer to signing than before. “If Queiroz signs the contract , we will send him the airplane ticket immediately”.
It seems that the airline ticket is the least of the concerns, as Queiroz is currently in Dubai right across the Persian Gulf where he is conducting his negotiation with Kaffashian. The Portuguese coach is out of contract officially and has not agreed to an extension despite assurances from the top man of FFIRI. Kaffashian has mentioned that Queiroz has several reservations on legal issues and demands for the amendment of some clauses. No further details were given by the President of FFIRI.
One of the disputes between the two parties , as revealed by Kaffashian, is the demand by Queiroz on the start of his duty. The Portuguese coach is willing to travel to Tehran to sign the contract , but then he wants to proceed on leave immediately and fly out for Iran for a holiday ! Kaffashian has objected to this part and demanded that Queiroz starts work immediately after signing, especially since the League has already started and the third round matches of the Persian Gulf League will be played tomorrow and Friday. Team Melli is already behind most of the other teams in preparation for the AFC Asian Cup 2015. Qatar, which plays in the Group C along with Iran, Bahrain and UAE, has already finished two training camps and played several friendlies as part of their preparations.
In his last term, Queiroz has been spending large share of his time either on holiday or engaged in various assignments outside of Iran.
ISNA Sport reporter questioned the curiously long time that this negotiation has been going on , and asked if there are serious problems between the two sides, Kaffashian denied the existing of any problems but on the same token refused to disclose the reasons why the two sides have failed to agree.
Kaffashian confirmed that there is no financial liabilities of the federation until Queiroz signs a new contract.
While Kaffashian and FFIRI have bent all the way down and yielded to almost all of Queiroz conditions and demands, it is not clear now what is holding the signature of the contract. Kaffashian hint and reference to legal issues is vague however the possibility of Queiorz demanding that the contract be signed outside of Iran and under the legal jurisdiction and sovereignty of another country’s legal system is quite high.