Mehdi Taj , the Iranian football League commissioner , said that Team Melli’c coach proposals to modify the league program were not practical and illogical.  Taj was reacting to the recent sharp criticism of the league program by Carlos Queiroz, in which he said that the league competetion as planned will create difficulties for Team Melli’s preparations towards the World Cup.

In reference to one of the proposals by Queiroz , Mehdi Taj said “How can we run a league program without Team Melli players? On what basis we can face the clubs and tell them that they have to compete in the league without their best players? No club will agree to that , and as the administrators of the league program, we have to cater for the interest of every side including clubs, fans and players , we would not entertain such proposal.”

On the other proposal of Queiroz regarding the Hazfi Cup, the knock out cup competition, Taj again refused to accept the idea to run a longish program for cup competition after the completion of the regular season and the league program. “This will amount to adding an extra season right after finishing one. This proposal is simply not feasible.” Taj responded.