May 2 – The eight-year tenure of Carlos Queiroz as manager of the Iranian team was often controversial, always mercurial, frequently successful, but ultimately disappointing with the country failing to win the 2019 Asian Cup, a target both Queiroz and the Iranian Football Federation (IFF) knew was within their grasp. Queiroz’s leaving of his position has been equally emotionally charged.
Now in Colombia managing that country’s national team, Queiroz has accused the IFF not fulfilling their financial obligations to him both for the final six-month extension of his contract as well as outstanding commitments.
The IFF has said that it has not failed to pay Queiroz’s salary but that he needs to be patient.
“Iran football federation has committed to its all obligations. The non-payment has been due to sanctions which restrict bank transfers but as I’ve already said it’s a time-consuming process and all Iranians are well-aware about that,” said Ahmadreza Barati, the Chairman of the IFF Legal Committee on the federation website.
“Queiroz, who has been a leading proponent of Iran around the world, has to show more patience, however he accused Iran federation of not fulfilling its obligations.
“He has said Iran’s preparation in Qatar ahead of the AFC Asian Cup was a big mistake but it’s not true because the world’s best teams to hold their camps in Qatar. Queiroz’s allegations are against FIFA’s ethics code. We are connecting with FIFA and Colombia football federation about the case and are doing legal actions against his claims.”
Quieroz claims that IFF president Mehdi Taj did not fulfill his promises concerning how World Cup prize money would be used to prepare Team Melli’s World Cup and Asian Cup campaigns as well as financial commitments to players and coaching staff.
High amongst his grievances, after the non-payment of his salary and bonuses, is that the pre-Asian World Cup in Qatar (where 13 nations held camps pre-tournament), were more suited to the agenda of the Qatar national team than Iran’s. Qatar dramatically went on to win the Asian Cup while Iran, one of the big pre-tournament favourites, crashed out in the semi-finals, losing to Japan 3-0.
Queiroz has complained to FIFA about his non-payment but the IFF cite the issues of the US-led sanctions against the country making international money transfers difficult.
The IFF says it has asked the Asian Football Federation to forward $900,000 of their 2019 AFC Asian Cup prize money ($1 million in total) to Queiroz. But such is the aggression of the US around the sanctions and international money transfers, that even acting as a legitimate proxy for the IFF can hold certain difficulties.
Meanwhile Queiroz, while failing to answer the questions of the Iranian press, has engaged them a series of remarkable accusations that are probably not helping the situation or the willingness of the parties to fulfil their obligations.
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