Tag: Ministry of Youth and Sports

Queiroz job is on the line again !

Ali Kaffashian , the head of FFIRI, surprised the media in Mashad by announcing that a meeting will be held on his return to Tehran on Saturday to discuss the future of Carlos Queiroz!

The sudden and surprising announcement is a continuation of the merry-go-around affair between the federation and the Portuguese coach where the situation of both sides have changed so often it has turned into a comical affair. While attending a conference in Mashad , Ali Kaffashian claimed that he has not heard or read yesterday’s comments of the Minister of Youth and Sports in which Mr. Goudarzi lashed at his federation with some sharp criticism of the way it is run. Goudarzi claimed that the employee is leading the employer and running the affairs as if he is the boss, while the passive boss is content with listening to the instruction of his subordinate and abide by it. That was a direct reference to Queiroz and Kaffashian working relationship, but without naming them.

Kaffashian, spoken like a true diplomat and gentleman, said that he was looking up to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and expects their support for the benefit of football and Team Melli.

“Some time ago, we were in the process of meeting to terminate the contract between the FFIRI and Mr. Queiroz due to some difficulties. The involvement of representative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports who joined the meeting, in which he declared the full support of the Ministry, opened a new chapter. Based on such statement of intent, we were encouraged to continue working with Quiroz and elevated our level of expectation from the Ministry to provide the support necessary for Team Melli.” Kaffashian disclosed to the media.

Kaffashian stopped short of accusing the Ministry of turning their back.

There was no official declaration on any tangible support that the Ministry has promised, if they ever did, to support Carlos Queiroz demands as a condition for his staying with the team. Transparency has never been one of the strongest attributes of the FFIRI, which was in fact one of Goudarzi points of criticism of this federation.

Goudarzi’s statements yesterday have obviously sent the FFIRI into a panic once again. Without the full support of the Ministry, it seems that the FFIRI might not even manage to pay the coaching staff wages, let alone arrange the required training schedule for Team Melli and the Olympic teams.

For whatever it is worth, we have not heard the end of this soap opera yet. To increase the tension and add suspense to this drama, Calros Queiroz is still banned from leaving Iran because he or his employer has NOT settled the outstanding tax arrears.

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A disgraceful act by the Ministry of sport official.  

 Humiliation and indignation of a person in public, is considered an offense punishable by law in every country of the world including Iran which has a strict law against such misdemeanor.

Last night on one of the most popular TV shows in Iran , a Ministry of Youth and sport official who was contacted by phone by Adel Ferdowsipour, the presenter of Navad, to explain the reasons behind the rejection of Zlatko Kranjcar as the Head Coach of Omid team , stated that his Ministry has rejected the Croat coach , not based on technical merits but on cultural issues because the Croat is an Alcoholic!

When challenged by the presenter if there are any evidences of such claims and whether it has been verified by a law force, Police or the judicial system, the Ministry of sports official responded that they have enough evidence against him although he was not prosecuted nor accused of any wrongdoing by a law force!

This public accusation in front of millions of viewers carried out without giving the accused person the right to defend himself , which is a basic human right,  amount to defamation and invasions of privacy. It is also a prosecution and public trial by the Ministry official who has neither legal authority nor the jurisdictions to conduct a trial.

What makes the matter even worse and certainly shameful, is that the Ministry of Youth and Sport has been asking for calm and serenity while advising the media and sport personalities not to engage in public quarrels and accusations, at the time when both the Minister and his deputy , and now this official is doing exactly the opposite of what they preach and claim.

  In some civil law jurisdictions, defamation is treated as a crime rather than a civil wrongdoing.  Recently , Mayeli-Kohan was jailed for such violations and slanders , which was a strong message to anyone who dares to wrongly accuse others without evidence. Will this official be put on trial or will the government use its veto to cover his wrongdoing?

 How long will the pragmatic and progressive President Rouhani , tolerate the Minster of Youth and Sports and his men, notorious for their meddling, agitations and public hostility with the football federation,  is another question that is beginning to be asked by many observers.

A president who was elected on a campaign that promised free expression , respect for people privacy and  letter of law must surely be embarrassed and concerned by the antics of the Ministry of Youth and Sport which has put the name of football in Iran in disrepute, according to Mehr News agency.

Team Melli receives much needed funds from the Sport Ministry

Nasorallah Sajjadi , the under-secretary for the Ministry of Youth and Sport has confirmed that his ministry has deposited funds in the bank account in support of Team Melli.

in a statement carried by ISNA, Sajjadi said that “Team Melli should have no problem going ahead with its program and that includes the training camps in South Africa, Europe and then Brazil. We have deposited the funds required yesterday and the coach should not be concerned with the financial backing.”

“We hope that the training program and the team’s preparation is not hindered by financial issues as we hop that the coach carries on with his program without this concern” Sajjadi was quoted today.

The backing of the Ministry of Youth and Sports comes in a crucial time for Team Melli. The much needed funds is welcome at the IRIFF that has struggled to make ends meet and has threatened the training and the preparation plans of Carlos Queiroz. Despite this welcome statement , there was no comment from the football federation FFIRI. The South Africa camp cancelation was requested by Queiroz citing many reasons including the lack of funds for such a camp , but Kaffashian always insisted publically that the camp in South Africa is still on. It is not clear what is the final verdict is on the African trip.