“In the last 10 months, no one has approached me to discuss the details and renewal of the contract after it expires “ Carlos Queiroz has said commenting on Kaffashian statements of alleged negotiations in progress with the Portuguese head coach!

 “Since no one bothered to talk to me, I guessed that I was not in the future plans of the federation and my services are no longer required. So , I am not thinking of that anymore” Queiroz added. He also said that “Today it is not the time of playacting and  playing on words. This rhetoric should not let us lose focus on our most important of assignments. Our focus is on World Cup especially the first game against Nigeria.”

Mehr News Agency, quoted Team Melli head coach Carlos Queiroz on his return to Tehran after the conclusion of the preparation camp in Austria.

Commenting on the second phase of the training plan , Queiroz said  “in this camp, the players were given the opportunity to challenge for a place in the final list of 23 players. It also gave me a perfect chance to have a close and deep look into each of the players’s performances. I must sat say that preparing the list of 23 players is not that easy of a task.”

Queiroz admitted that all the players have done well in this camp and were committed. “Team Melli fans should be proud of each one of them for their hard world and effort to make the list. Obviously we have to look into the best possible candidates and especially those who have speed and pace that can help the team balance and overall performance” Queiroz said.

 “The team will head to Brazil soon and our last phase of training plan will be held in that country where we will play against Trinidad and Tobago. After that , we will be ready to meet  Nigeria, and that is the most important game of the World Cup for us and like a cup final.”

Queiroz said that he watched Nigeria’s friendly game against Scotland and despite the absence of eight main players; the Nigerians were motivated and played a good game. in response to media news about South Africa’s National team job offer, Queiroz denied any knowledge of such offer and was  surprised to hear that. “It is not true.” Queiroz added.

Ali Kafashian announced this week that he would hold further negotiations for contract extension with the Portuguese coach. In response to that, Queiroz commented “in this regard (contract negotiation) this was done once about 10 months ago, and I think his statement was referring to that time. I was not approached by him or anyone else on the subject in the past 10 months. Aside from the fact that once we had a meeting were the subject was mentioned.  I prefer not to talk about the topics of that particular meeting.”  Queiroz added.

He emphasized that the reality is very simple and all the focus is now on preparing the national team.  Queiroz stressed that now is not the time for such talk and playacting. “Two weeks before the World Cup and our first and most important game is ahead of us and they are bringing up these issues at this time. That is not a wise move. The purpose and focus is on our mission in in Brazil. I am only thinking about the World Cup.” Queiroz commented

On the injury list of Team Melli , Queiroz said that “apart from 2-3 cases of minor injuries, we do not have a major concern except for Beikzadeh. His condition is different but we have already made the decision and arrangements to send him for treatment in order for him to recover as soon as possible.”

It is obvious that Carlos Queiroz is quite bitter about the recent statements of Ali Kaffashian. The head of FFIRI has claimed time and again all sort of alleged details on the contract negotiations he carried out with Queiroz, while the Portuguese coach has categorically denied the existence of any such negotiation!

It is amazing how the President of Iran Football federation allows himself to be caught in such a muddle a couple of weeks before the World Cup!