Tag: Kaffashian

“Querioz will stay until World Cup 2018” claims Kaffashian

The head of Football Federation FFIRI , Ali Kaffashian reveled today that Carlos Queiroz has agreed to extend his contract for another 4 years (Until World Cup 2018 in Russia) pending the resolution of some financial issues.

In a statement to ISNA news agency , Kaffashian said that despite earlier news about Queiroz not staying beyond his contract , the Portuguese coach has verbally agreed the extension. Asked by the reporter what made Querioz change his mind despite some  lucrative offers from Europe and South Africa, Kaffashian said  “Yes, Carlos Queiroz has many concrete offers from Europe and some of them were financially better than ours, but he prefers to work with Iran as he spent enough time here and he is quite familiar with the surrounding (…)”  

Pressed by the reporter on when will Queiroz give a definite answer , Kaffashian said “I personally think that within 20 days , he will give us a definite answer. What is important for us is that Queiroz is interested to continue coaching Team Melli. For us this is quite a good news and I think he will agree to continue with us.”  Kaffashian did not mention if his administration has given Queiroz any deadline for an answer nor did he elaborate if the federation is considering any other candidates if the Portuguese coach decides not to continue.

Queiroz was not available for comment and has been non-committal about his future with Team Melli, although the South Africans have taken it for granted that he will coach them after the World Cup.

Asked about the steps taken by the FFIRI to coordinate with the clubs on Team Melli program and why the supposed liaison and coordination meetings between Team Melli coaches on one side and club coaches on the other , did not materialize?  Kaffashian gave the customary wishful thinking that everyone should work towards the interest of Team Melli while he refrained from giving any reasons for lack of communication between his staff including Queiroz and the clubs! However , he pointed out that Queiroz has already met with Ghalenoei , Esteghlal’s coach.

“What about if the clubs do not agree with the set program of Team Melli because they we not consulted. Are you going to use political pressure by asking the government to pressurize the clubs?”  asked the reporter. The Head of FFIRI responded “I hope the situation does not develop to that extend that we have to exert political pressure on the clubs. I think we can iron out all the issues without any difficulties.” In response , the reporter said that the media have already been reporting that the meeting between Queiroz and Ghalenoei was fruitless and there was two different views with no accord in sight”, Kaffashian refuted that claim and said “In fact , it was a good meeting and both sides agreed on the road plan for Team Melli. The fact that they were introduced to each other and talked was in itself quite significant for us!”

Kaffashian said that Qatar FA has not responded yet on the request for the release of Montazeri and Jabbari for Team Melli camp. Both players will be playing in the Amir Cup during the time Team Melli’s is setting camp. There is no obligation for the clubs to release their players according to FIFA’s rules. Kaffashian said that he is willing to travel to Qatar to negotiate their release or send some one to deputize for him. Kaffashian did not say what tools he will use to convince the Qatari teams to release their Iranian players while actively engaged in an important competition.

Kaffashian said that he has no idea about the progress of attracting Aria Jasuru Hasegawa, the 25 years old Japanese Iranian player, to Team Melli. He was quite hopeful that the South Africa Training camp will be on again so Team Melli can play the host country “Nothing is definite yet ” Kaffashian said in his usual proverbial manner” We are still negotiating with other teams to play friendly matches. We will announce the plans when we get the approval of our opponents”.

And we live in hope.

 

Sadeghian & Mosalman suspended by IRIFF

Payam Sadeghian and Mohsen Moslaman two of the most promising Iranian players are suspended indefinitely by IRIFF.

The suspension was a swift reaction by the football federation that was initiated and enforced by Ali Kaffashian after the controversy in Kish island after pictures of members of Team Melli U-22 were published in the social media showing them smoking the Shisha in the hotel they were accommodated in.

Sadeghian and Mosalman were both excluded from the U-22 squad competing in the AFC Asian U-22 championship that will start in Muscat in a few days, while Kaffashian instructed Carlos Queiroz not to select the two mentioned players in any Team Melli squad including the upcoming World Cup.

Three other personal associated with the camp. The team manager ,  doctor , and  the masseur were also given an  indefinite suspension from all football activities for their role in this misdemeanor. It is not clear what was the role of the 3 officials in this incident. There is another player involved whose name was not mentioned at this time.

Both of the Persepolis players , who have been instrumental in Persepolis recent good run , were hopeful of making the final list of Carlos Queiroz for the World

Cup , but this incident has badly hurt their chances and once again highlighted the indiscipline that is rife in Iranian football especially at the younger level. Sadeghian, a a player who is no stranger to controversy , has previous misdemeanors on and off the field , including several public statements in the press criticizing Team Melli players selection process and indirectly accusing Queiroz for ignoring his performance and goals in the league.

Reacting to the news of the suspensions, Rouyanian , Persepolis club CEO , quickly came to the aid of his players and denied that his players were guilty of smoking during the camp in Kish and accused the federation of trying to sabotage his team ahead of the local derby. Rouyanian, no stranger himself to controversy and rhetoric said that the IRIFF had no concrete evidence and came up with a decision in haste without examining the evidence.  Rouyanian did not offer any concrete evidence himself in the defense of the players nor did he elaborate on his serious accusation against the IRIFF.

Kaffashian criticizes Mansourian for resigning.

Ali Kaffashin , the head of FFIRI criticized Alireza Mansourian  for reigning his post as the head coach of the Team Melli U-22 teams a fortnight before the team taking part in the Inaugural Asian U-22 Championship in Muscat Oman.

Kaffashain said “Mansourian should not have left the team in such critical stage. We have made it clear that the priority for us is the participation of Team Melli in the FIFA World Cup. This takes precedence over all other activities at the moment and as such even the League program is adjusted to serve the needs of the World Cup training schedule. Team Melli U-22 is of a lower priority”

Kaffashian , did not agree with Mansourian reasoning and said  “ although Iran would have been the main title contender in Muscat , if we sent a full strength team , we have accepted the fact that under-strength U-22 team is a good enough team and we are look for participating rather than winning the title. Other priorities has dictated this and we accepted it, hence Mansourian was not in line with our objectives.”

Human Afazeli , who was working alongside Mansourian in the U-22 team has agreed to take over the head coach post from Mansourian.

Kaffashian disclosed that an official offer was given to Vingada to coach Iran’s Ol, ympics team or the U-23 team, knows as “Omid Team”. The FFIRI is awaiting a response from the Portuguese coach. Kaffashian admitted that the FFIRI offer to Vingada might not be too attractive due to lack of financial resources of the federation, but hoped that the Portuguese coach might be tempted to work in Iran and be close to his friend & compatriot Carlos Queiroz.