Ali Kaffashian , once again defended the brand of the Team Melli kit and the sponsorship deal with the German sport clothing manufacturer UHLSport.
The never ending ominous topic of Team Melli’s jersey is becoming repeatedly asked on every interview sdid not escape Kaffashin on Thursday while attending a practice session of Team Melli.
Kaffashian spoke highly of the German company and insisted that the quality they are dealing with is at the highest “This is a European company with the highest quality German standards. I understand that some players have been complaining about the jersey and we have investigated the matter with the company. It turned out that those who complained did not follow the washing instruction and how to maintain the jersey. Apparels have such instruction that needs to be applied. We have expensive products here, not the disposable shirts and short that you dispense with after one wash! “
“The quality of our kit is high and can be compared to the industry’s best. We are proud of it and can do well in the World Cup using them. We also need to be reasonable on expenses. It not wise or clever to use a kit for a week then throw it out demanding a new set. Common sense must prevail”
Asked about the traditional end of the match shirts exchanges with other players, Kaffashian declared that players have to buy their own kits if they want to exchange with other players! That sounds shocking, but Kaffashian’s excuse was that his federation must also consider other expenses with many other Team Melli teams that need budgets and overheads.
On the question of Queiroz declaration of concern with all the rumors that has been surrounding him for the last 10 months, Kaffashian dismissed the issue and said that he is not aware or all this while his concern is focused towards important issues like the sourcing of the funds to pay the coach wages.
“We have to balance our expenditure. We like to continue with Queiroz , we are satisfied with his work. Queiroz qualified us to the World Cup and in Asia , we are the top ranking team while we were the fifth. However, we also need to pay him appropriately. If we cannot afford to do that, and don’t have the money then we have to lower the ceiling of our expectations. It is the same with arranging friendly matches. A top team demands something like US$ 2 million for a match. Mostly, we would not be afford to do that, so , we have to accept less than perfect friendly matches arrangement ”