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A visibly stressed Carlos Queiroz has emphatically and repeatedly announced to the media that he will allow no one to interfere in his job. The real target of this statement is Ali Kaffashian, while also sending a strong message to Kashani and Khakpour in Iran’s Omid team camp.
“A clause in my contract specifically stipulates that the selection of players is purely my responsibility and no one else. It is my job and responsibility to pick whoever player I want for Team Melli and anyone who thinks otherwise is disillusioned.” Queiroz said after his meeting with Kaffashian.
The tension has been rising between Queiroz on one hand and the duo Kashani and coach Khakpour of Omid Teamon the other. Both sides seem to lay claim on the two star players Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Jahanbakht. The two Europe-based players have played for Iran youth level teams and also Team Melli recently. Omid team managers believe that Azmoun and Jahanbakht are key players in the team and can make a difference in Iran’s quest for qualifying to the Olympics Games Football competition after a 40 years absence. Queiroz has repeatedly said that he is not willing to release the players for Omid team while he has two important matches against Chile and Sweden in the next week FIFA days calendar. Those days coincide with Omid team playing the first stage of Olympic Games 2016 qualifiers in Tehran.
“I had a meeting with Kaffashian today but I did not allow any discussion about the two players. My positions is quite clear and I am not willing to repeat myself” Queiroz said to the gathering press who have been anxious to know the fate of the two players. The press were alerted of the meeting which was expected to formally announce the inclusion of Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Jahanbakht to Iran’s Omid Team ( Olympics U23) which is scheduled to play its first competitive match on 23rd March against Nepal as part of the Rio Olympics 2016 Football competition qualifiers.
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[column size=”1/2″] Kashani and Khakpour have been accusing the FFIRI top brass of lack of support for Omid Team. Ali Kaffashian , in attempt to ease the worries of Iran possible failure to qualify once again for the Olympics football tournament , promised the Omid Team Managers that their demand for the release the two young stars will be met in time for the qualifiers. Kaffashian further complicated the issue by publicly announcing the release of Azmoun and Jahanbaksh to Omid team.
The objective of today’s meeting at FFIRI offices was for Kaffashian to inform Queiroz of such decision and the release the two players to Omid team, however , the president of FFIRI did not account for the strong stance by Queiroz who reminded the President that it was him rather than Kaffashian who has the upper hand and the final decesion. Queiroz suggested that his boss reads the contract that his his signature on it. “If anyone is in doubt , then he should refer to my employment contract.” According to Queiroz, and as such putting Kaffashian in a precarious and rather embarrassing situation failing to deliver his promise to Omid team!
A defiant Queiroz in response to a question by a reporter on what are his thoughts about Kaffashian’s statement about the 4 months duration left on his contract with FFIRI , said that he will be honored if Ali Kaffashian fires him!
Carlos Queiroz rhetoric is a sign of one stressed man under pressure, real or imaginary. His defiance, maverick style and eccentric statements have been aplenty recently so are his threats to leave the job if the conditions are not up to his liking.
There is no statement more preposterous than Queiroz’s claim that “ NO one in Iran cares about Team Melli and Omid team , as much as I do!!”
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