Jurgen Klinsmann has vowed to speak with Carlos Queiroz after the Iran coach branded the former Germany striker “a disgrace to football” over comments made about his team.
Klinsmann claimed Iran “worked the referee” and said that was part of their “culture”, comments that enraged Queiroz, who said the former Tottenham striker should resign from his FIFA role. Queiroz took to Twitter to hit back at Klinsmann and invited him to visit Iran’s training camp to learn about their culture - but not before he resigned from his role as a member of FIFA’s Technical Study Group.
Writing on Twitter, Queiroz said: “No matter how much I can respect what you did inside the pitch, those remarks about Iran culture, the Iran national team and my players are a disgrace to football. At the same time, we just want to follow with full attention what will be the decision of FIFA regarding your position as a member of Qatar 2022 Technical Study Group. Because, obviously, we expect you to resign before you visit our camp.”
Klinsmann, who made his comments after Iran’s 2-0 win over Wales, in his role as a pundit for the BBC, said he intended to call Queiroz to explain his remarks and to defuse the situation.
“There was stuff really taken out of context,” said Klinsmann. “I will try to give him a call and calm things down. I have never criticised Carlos or the Iranian bench. Some even thought I was criticising the referee, because he didn’t do anything about the way they were behaving on the bench.
“All I described was their emotional way of doing things, which is actually admirable in a certain way. The whole bench lives the game. They’re jumping up and down and Carlos is a very emotional coach, he’s constantly on the sidelines trying to give his players all his energy and direction.”
The remarks Iran and Queiroz took exception to went unchallenged on the BBC, as Klinsmann claimed their players and bench had been able to influence the referee and match officials.
“It’s not by coincidence, it’s part of their culture, how they play,” said Klinsmann. "They worked the referee. They work the linesman and fourth official, they’re constantly in their ear.
"There were a lot of incidents we didn’t see. This is their culture, they take you off your game.” Queiroz added: "Even not knowing me personally, you question my character with a typical prejudiced judgment of superiority."
A stronger statement from the Iranian FA referenced Klinsmann's reputation as a diver in his playing days, as well as Germany's war history and involvement in a 'fixed match with Austria at the 1982 World Cup.
"Being a German, it is promised that Mr Klinsmann will not be judged for the most shameful episode of World Cup History, the 'Disgrace of Gíjon' 82, when West Germany and Austria fixed a result.
"As a former player, he will not be judged by his famous dramatic dives. And for sure, as a football professional, he will not be judged for any other political or historical matters related to his country.
