Mehdi Mahdavikia , the former star of Iran’s Team Melli was highly critical of the testimonial match and the accompanied ceremony that was arranged in honor of Team Melli players by the Football Federation last Saturday night..

In an interview with Iran Varzeshi newspaper, Mahdavikia who has hanged his boot with Perspolis at the end of last season, said he was absent out of Iran but even if he was , he would not have participated in any form in this debacle.   Mahdavikia said “the whole function and the arrangement prior to it was a disaster. It was poorly and hastily arranged by the federation. “

“Such proposed match between the 1998 team that brought honor and glory to the nation and the current 2013 team that has also qualified to Brazil World Cup , should not have been on at the first place. How can you expect a competition between a bunch of old players who have retired for a long period, some who are coaching and others who have left football all together , playing against a current team that has qualified for the World Cup? ” Mahdavikia added.

“This is an insult to the 1998 team. The match was unfair and ridiculously unbalanced and it made a mockery of the senior players who were supposed to be honored. Thanks to the federation confused and irrational arrangement Instead of honoring Team Melli of 1998, it turned them into a laughing stock!” lamented Mahdavikia who scored Iran’s second goal against USA in Lyon in the 2-1 historic win.

“The poor planning was obvious. The federation should have planned this program month in advance and clearly defining the objectives and contents of this event to the public.  This would have attracted the interest of many spectators and Team Melli fans.  Early planning would have given the chance for many participants to arrange their schedule accordingly. “Mahdavikia added

I would have not played in that match even if I was in Iran

“I already had plans to be in Germany but I would have not played in that match even if I was in Iran. It does not take a genius to predict the outcome of such unfair and unbalanced competition. The five goals, with mercy , in the first half was just the icing on the cake to humiliate the players who were supposed to be honored. The intent of the federation was noble and honorable but the execution was poor and the match idea was absurd.”

Mehdi Mahdavikia was in Germany for talks with SV Hamburg , the club that Iran’s former midfielder has played for a period spanning 8 years. Discussion about a testimonial match, German style, has been going on between the two parties.