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Iran's national football coach has criticised Jurgen Klinsmann after the German football great claimed the team has a 'culture' of working the referee to gain an advantage.
Carlos Queiroz described Klinsmann's remarks as a pundit on BBC Sport as “outrageous” and that he should not be serving as an official with Fifa's technical study group.
In a televised studio discussion with BBC host Gabby Logan, former USA boss Klinsmann, 56, said that Iran players will crowd the referee and hotly dispute decisions in an intimating manner.
Iran team coach
“Carlos fits really well with the national team and their culture, he failed in South America with Colombia and then failed to qualify with Egypt, and he came in right before the World Cup with Iran, where he worked for a long time,” Klinsmann said.
Klinsmann said that in six years of coaching the US national team, he saw similar behaviour in Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica.
He further suggested that Guatemalan referee Mario Escobar was used to being challenged by players — and suggested that a European referee would have acted differently.
“This is their culture,” he repeated four times, referring to the Iran team and latterly to South American football.
“They're constantly in your face on the field,” he said.
Klinsmann was not challenged by Logan or his fellow pundits.
In a lengthy rebuke on social media, Carlos Queiroz said Klinsmann, who was part of the West Germany team that won the 1990 Fifa World Cup, should not lecture foreign teams about their “culture”.
“No matter how much I can respect what you did inside the pitch, those remarks about Iran culture, Iran national team and my players are a disgrace to football,” he said.
“Nobody can hurt our integrity if it is not at our level, of course.”
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Fifa World Cup 2022 Day 7 — in pictures
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Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, centre, celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Lionel Messi, left. AFP -
Argentina players celebrate as their second goal goes in past Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. AFP -
Argentina fans celebrate after their crucial Group C victory. AFP -
Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi heads the ball. AFP -
Messi scored Argentina's first goal. AFP -
Argentina's Rodrigo de Paul and Mexico's Jesus Gallardo fight for the ball. AFP -
Mexico's Alexis Vega in an aerial battle with Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi, right. AFP -
France players celebrate their victory over Denmark in Group D. AFP -
France's Kylian Mbappe bundles his team's second goal past Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and defender Rasmus Kristensen. AFP -
France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris grabs the ball. AFP -
France's Olivier Giroud slides in on Denmark's Victor Nelsson. AFP -
A France supporter before the Denmark game. AFP -
Poland defender Matthew Cash blocks Saudi Arabia's Firas Al Buraikan. AFP -
Saudi Arabia's Salem Al Dawsari reacts after missing a shot at goal. AFP -
Nawaf Al Abed lines up a free kick for Saudi Arabia against Poland. AFP -
Poland's Przemyslaw Frankowski fights for the ball with Saudi Arabia's Saud Abdulhamid. AFP -
Poland's Bartosz Bereszynski battles with Saudi Arabia's Abdulhamid. AFP -
Saudi Arabia fans are hoping to see a historic win today. Getty Images -
Poland supporters are still waiting for their team's first win at these finals. AFP -
Saudi Arabia lit up the first round of games with a stunning 2-1 over Argentina. Getty Images -
Aussie fans saw their team snatch a 1-0 win over Tunisia. Getty Images -
It ended the Socceroos' 12-year wait for a World Cup win. Reuters -
Tunisia's Issam Jebali battles with Australia's Kye Rowles. Getty Images -
Australia's Mitchell Duke celebrates scoring. AFP -
His goal proved to be the decisive one, wrapping up three points for Australia. Reuters -
Australia and Tunisia supporters cheer their teams at Al Janoub Stadium. AFP -
A Tunisia player warms up for the World Cup Group D football match between Tunisia and Australia at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, south of Doha. AFP -
Australia and Tunisia supporters at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah. AFP -
Supporters of Tunisia at the Fifa World Cup 2022 Group D football match between Tunisia and Australia at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah. EPA -
Australia supporters fly the flag at the start of the World Cup Group D match against Tunisia at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. AP -
Australia fans and their Socceroos at the Fifa World Cup Group D match at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. -
Australia fans enjoy the pre-match atmosphere before the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between Tunisia and Australia at Al Janoub Stadium. Getty -
Tunisia fans in the stands show their support before kick-off of the Fifa World Cup Group D match at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. -
Australia fans enjoy the atmosphere before the Fifa World Cup Group D match between Tunisia and Australia at Al Janoub Stadium kicks off in Al Wakrah, Qatar. Getty -
Tunisia fans ready for their team's Fifa World Cup Group D match with Australia at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. Getty -
Tunisia fans hope three Fifa World Cup Group D points will go their team's way in the game with Australia at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. Getty -
Tunisia players Mouez Hassen, Nader Ghandri and Aissa Laidouni prepare for their Fifa World Cup Group D game with Australia by walking the pitch at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. Reuters
Queiroz invited Klinsmann to the Team Melli camp to “socialise with Iran players and learn from them about the country, the people of Iran, the poets and art, the algebra, all the millennial Persian culture and also listen from our players how much they love and respect football”.
“And despite your outrageous remarks on BBC trying to undermine our efforts, sacrifices and skills, we promise you that we will not produce any judgments regarding your culture, roots and background and that you will always be welcome to our family,” Queiroz said.
“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.'
Iran lost their opening game of the World Cup 6-2 against England but impressed with two lightning late goals in the final minutes of injury time.
They then bounced back with a 2-0 win over a woeful Wales and all eyes will be on their final group stage clash with the USA on Tuesday at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha.
