Tehran

Source:  Mehr News Agency.

In his first interview since returning from abroad, Carlos Queiroz , commented on the cancellation of the Team Melli camp in South Africa by saying “the issue is very clear”

“The camp is part of our preparation for the World Cup . The camp was designed especially for Iran’s domestic players to enhance their skills and also to change their playing style  especially since we have Nigeria in our own group and four friendly matches were arranged. Conducting the camp would have been very useful for the team.” Queiroz said. ” The second reason I chose this plan , relates to my experiences . We need to have a higher level of football to win any match the World Cup. We are facing quality opponents. Their players are playing in high level leagues and in every game that they are playing, they run an average of 10 to 12 kms.”

According to Team Melli coach “Nigerian players , Bosnian and Argentinians play in the European leagues. On average they get 64 minutes of active play time every game in every competition , but in Iran the figure is 50 or 52 minutes. According to the latest figures I have from Iran’s domestic league, players run an average of only 7 to 8 km only.”

Queiroz continued “my third reason for this was that I feel and carry the responsibility of 70 million on my shoulders . So my interest in independent to the interest of clubs like Esteghlal , Foolad or Sepahan but also to the interests of 80 million Iranians across the globe. I think . That is why I needed it . The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federation and the League had approved the plan . If you look at the formation of the national team just a few of our players are in Europe , they are of course in a good environment , but most players are involved in the Iranian league .”

“In this regard ” he noted “When I saw the four main players of the team out of six , have left the domestic league , it did not make sense to hold this camp (…). When you do not have your team’s main players , this camp is not logical . The next reason was that we did not receive support of any kind . However, I have always believed that since we will be playing against the best in the world, our players need to have a specific plan and the decision was taken by the board . My concern was , our players are not available and we did not receive support financially . That’s why I suggested canceling the training program yesterday at a meeting with Mohammad Nabi and Kafashian. I want to stress, though, that we will continue the program but in our own backyard.”

In response to criticism by club coaches like Ghalenoei , Faraki and Kranjčar about the Team Melli program and the long league suspension , Queiroz said ” Tell me, what is my primary responsibility? When the Iranian flag is flying high on the mast during the World Cup , I see happiness in the picture . I know it is my duty to defend the flag . Not the interests of one or two people who only think about their own interest and defend themselves . The first league games were delayed because of the benefits of a club  . Everyone knows that for the interests Ghalenoei and Fathollahzadeh , the league was delayed. The club that complains constantly .”

Queiroz noted “the issue here is not about someone called Queiroz , that does not matter. I ‘ve heard from the former President and the current President of the Republic, that the priorities for this year is Team Melli. I was in a meeting , when we heard from them since this year’s Team Melli has qualified to the World Cup . The reason that the league program has fallen apart is because is was solely for the benefit of Fathollahzadeh and Ghalenoei . Now , for the benefit of Ghalenoei and Krancjar , the league is postponed for 5 weeks .

Queiroz said “the real question is if the football team is the first priority , then why does not it receive the support necessary? Why all the protection of clubs interests , but not the support for Team Melli ? I know that everyone , including Ghalenoei and Krancjar. I agree this was not planned, however , let’s talk about the expectations of the fans of the national team . that Kranjcar talked about FIFA rules, which I know them a lot better than him. No one in this country knows FIFA better than me, because I was present from the beginning to develop them.”
He stated ” FIFA rules was not made to cater to the Iranian success. Do you think that other countries do not want us to succeed , we will attach importance to the World Cup ?

Queiroz continued his verbal onslaught on Ghalenoei and Kranjcar, mocking or dismissing all their statements and claiming his own superior knowledge with 33 years in football.