Tag: Javad Khiabani

Ghalenoei’s Outburst: A Coach’s Unusual Rant Against Critics

Following Team Melli’s emphatic victory against Qatar, head coach Amir Ghalenoei surprised many with a heated outburst, targeting his critics and demanding that Iran’s national broadcaster, IRIB, stop airing their opinions. His remarks, unusually severe even by his own standards, sparked widespread reactions across media outlets.

In the post-match press conference, Ghalenoei expressed his frustration, saying, “They [the critics] did not help the team. If you’re going to talk about someone, speak from your experience. Not everyone deserves a platform to criticize. It seems anyone with an issue against Amir Ghalenoei gets a voice on radio and television. Check these people’s resumes and compare them to mine.”

He went on to highlight his accomplishments: “I’m not just Amir Ghalenoei from the league. I’ve earned over a thousand points coaching various teams, not just one. I’ve taken responsibility for teams that were struggling both financially and in terms of scheduling. For example, Sepahan, a club I’m proud of, was 14th in the table when I took over, and we achieved great results on a minimal budget.”

He continued by mentioning his time with Tractor Sazi, where he led the team to its first-ever qualification for the AFC Champions League, which he considers one of his proudest achievements. Ghalenoei also highlighted his success with Esteghlal, his boyhood club. Wrapping up his speech, he addressed IRIB officials directly: “Team Melli and I are not without flaws. Criticize us, but don’t hold grudges. Some people are given a platform to criticize, not based on merit, but out of past grievances. One day I’ll respond to all of them, but for now, I must stay silent due to my position. Mr. Taj has also asked me to remain calm, but the day will come when I answer them all.”

While coaches often feel targeted by criticism, believing that dissent is a personal attack, Ghalenoei’s remarks crossed a line by calling for national media censorship. His demand that IRIB, Iran’s only authorized television and radio network, silence his critics struck many as authoritarian.

The backlash was swift. Javad Khiabani, a veteran broadcaster and respected authority on Team Melli, was one of the most outspoken critics. Khiabani condemned Ghalenoei’s arrogance and accused him of attempting to stifle free speech and the press’s role in providing objective analysis. He reminded Ghalenoei that journalism’s duty is to scrutinize and hold those in power accountable. “Ghalenoei acts as though he is beyond criticism, but his resume, despite his boasting, is lacking in international success,” Khiabani pointed out. “Beating Qatar is not an achievement to be proud of like defeating world champions, France or Brazil. Ghalenoei has twice failed to win the AFC Asian Cup as Iran’s coach and has yet to qualify for the World Cup, something an Iranian coach achieved decades ago with far fewer resources and fewer finalist (16 teams).”

Khiabani further criticized Ghalenoei for trying to dictate the terms of criticism, a job that rightly belongs to journalists. He emphasized that no coach should be immune from analysis, especially when leading the national team.

Ghalenoei’s tirade reveals a deep-seated insecurity and fear of criticism, suggesting a lack of confidence in his own abilities. His unreasonable demand for IRIB to suppress negative opinions is unlikely to be entertained by the authorities, and it may only amplify the voices of his critics. By lashing out at the media, Ghalenoei has likely emboldened his detractors, who will now scrutinize every aspect of his leadership, from player selections to tactics.

In the end, Ghalenoei’s rant may have done more harm than good, intensifying the spotlight on his tenure and raising questions about his ability to handle the pressures of leading Team Melli.

Broadcaster Khiabani shocks the system.

The banning of Javad Khaibani’s activities on official media seems to be ruled out with the renowned broadcaster appearing on Channel 3 and also on Sports Network’s program.

Javad Khayani’s recent statements in one of the special talk shows of the Home Show Network, in which he quite fearlessly highlighted the economic plights of his countrymen, corruption in sports, and multiple system failures, had created speculations that his activities would be banned on television and also in other visual media.

But on Wednesday, the telecast of the friendly football match between the Manchester City and Bayern Munich teams ended those speculations with Khabani reporting on the game for the TV channel.

The Iranian regime has a habit of blanking its critics and forcing the media to stop publishing images or quotes. The most famous of these critics in recent times is none other than Ali Karimi, who has turned into a cult hero following his harsh criticism against the regime for the oppression of women and the wide corruption. Karimi, the former Captain of Team Melli, Bayern Munich, and Persepolis player left the country fearing for his life.

Khiabani, the veteran TV broadcaster, had some hard words for the authority in a recent TV show reflecting on the plight of Iranians and how the system prevents their progress in all fields.

After this harsh talk, there were calls by hardliners to ban Khiabani.

The regime is well-known to have zero tolerance for public criticism, even the constructive type. It is especially sensitive to celebrities, sports personalities, and Artists, many of whom have been banned for speaking out against the regime practices in the aftermath of Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody.

Adel Ferwosipour is another broadcaster who is currently on the blacklist and has not been seen on TV for a long time since his quite famous and controversial TV show ‘Navad’ has been taken off the air.

IRIB, the official government broadcasting apparatus, is under the control of Ayatollah Ali Khamenai’s office. Policies and direction are scrutinized and channeled toward being a propaganda machine for the Iranian regime., The TV programs have an immense amount of religious content and the screens are mostly colonized by the Shia clergy giving sermons to a population that is living under extremely harsh economical conditions.

Despite Khiabani’s brave words, some cynics in social media have accused the broadcaster and his masters of staging this show. Those people believe that there is no way anyone dares to talk so openly criticizing the system with the approval of the regime’s security agents who have permanent residency in the IRIB properties.

Iran is the 4th worst country on World Press Freedom Index with Vietnam, China, and North Korea being worse.