Iran's head coach Carlos Queiroz at the match against Wales on Friday. AP
Iran's head coach Carlos Queiroz at the match against Wales on Friday. AP
Iran's head coach Carlos Queiroz at the match against Wales on Friday. AP
Iran's head coach Carlos Queiroz at the match against Wales on Friday. AP

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz hits back at Jurgen Klinsmann over 'working the referee' claims


Rory Reynolds
  • English
  • Arabic

Latest: Fifa World Cup live coverage

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.

Those remarks about Iran culture, Iran national team and my players are a disgrace to football
Carlos Queiroz,
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.”

__________________________________

Fifa World Cup 2022 Day 7 — in pictures

  • Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, centre, celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Lionel Messi, left. AFP
    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 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 fans celebrate after their crucial Group C victory. AFP
  • Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi heads the ball. AFP
    Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi heads the ball. AFP
  • Messi scored Argentina's first goal. AFP
    Messi scored Argentina's first goal. AFP
  • Argentina's Rodrigo de Paul and Mexico's Jesus Gallardo fight for the ball. 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
    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 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'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 goalkeeper Hugo Lloris grabs the ball. AFP
  • France's Olivier Giroud slides in on Denmark's Victor Nelsson. AFP
    France's Olivier Giroud slides in on Denmark's Victor Nelsson. AFP
  • A France supporter before the Denmark game. AFP
    A France supporter before the Denmark game. AFP
  • Poland defender Matthew Cash blocks Saudi Arabia's Firas Al Buraikan. 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
    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
    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 Przemyslaw Frankowski fights for the ball with Saudi Arabia's Saud Abdulhamid. AFP
  • Poland's Bartosz Bereszynski battles with Saudi Arabia's 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Tunisia's Issam Jebali battles with Australia's Kye Rowles. Getty Images
  • Australia's Mitchell Duke celebrates scoring. AFP
    Australia's Mitchell Duke celebrates scoring. AFP
  • His goal proved to be the decisive one, wrapping up three points for Australia. Reuters
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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 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 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
    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.
    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
    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 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 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
    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.

The Voice of Hind Rajab

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5

Super heroes

Iron Man
Reduced risk of dementia
Alcohol consumption could be an issue

Hulk
Cardiac disease, stroke and dementia from high heart rate

Spider-Man
Agility reduces risk of falls
Increased risk of obesity and mental health issues

Black Panther
Vegetarian diet reduces obesity
Unknown risks of potion drinking

Black Widow
Childhood traumas increase risk of mental illnesses

Thor
He's a god

The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.

THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%204.4-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20653hp%20at%205%2C400rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20800Nm%20at%201%2C600-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETransmission%3A%208-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E0-100kph%20in%204.3sec%0D%3Cbr%3ETop%20speed%20250kph%0D%3Cbr%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20NA%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Q2%202023%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh750%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RIVER%20SPIRIT
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeila%20Aboulela%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Saqi%20Books%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C600rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C500-4%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.9L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh119%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

Updated: November 27, 2022, 12:15 PM