surprise, surprise ... CQ refuses to play Italy

[Doctor DOOM]

Not that it is a surprise at all. He's asked Kafashian to drop this game
But wanted you all to know and stop dreaming

[Kiarash]

surprise, surprise ... CQ refuses to play Italy

He said that Italy demanded too much money and instead we can play 3 strong nations.

Might mention that as well.

[Camran khan]

Did you actually read the reason why he refused? They want too much money. We can play 3 other strong teams with the amount they require.

[Doctor DOOM]

He said that Italy demanded too much money and instead we can play 3 strong nations.
Might mention that as well.

Right. We might also mention that t is not that we are usually so sought after by the big teams that if we drop one, three will immediately rush to play us. A little look at our history should have given you the answer

Unless by ''big teams'' he means Palestine, Jordan and zambia

[perspolis#1]

I'll wait to see what the alternative nations are. If we play Uzbekistan/New Zealand/Egypt instead of playing Italy I would say that is a great call. Playing countries far below us will not help us in the long run.

[Abtin]

Alternative is playing 3 South African clubs in a Somalian high school field. Wait and see.

[Bi-honar]

Any link to the news guys?

P.S. Nevermind, found it.

I also like to know what the other 3 alternates are before formulating an opinion on this.

[Camran khan]

Right. We might also mention that t is not that we are usually so sought after by the big teams that if we drop one, three will immediately rush to play us. A little look at our history should have given you the answer

Unless by ''big teams'' he means Palestine, Jordan and zambia

It has nothing to do with anyone wanting to come and rush and play us, it has nothing to do with the IR, it's all about money. We can get any top team to come to Tehran if we pay the right price. Both Atletico Madrid and Brazil have shown that they're willing to come play us in Tehran if we pay the right amount.

[hzv]

we can use the money to play 10 south african league teams. also you better not come and blame lack of quality friendlies for bad and mediocre results.

[rugs]

Talk about "khareji-parasti".... People are upset we aren't paying Italy any amount they demand?!

[Ab-Gosht]

it would have been Worth every penny since sponsors would cover most of it and ticket sales of 100K people would cover italy team hotel stay

[shahname]

[Bi-honar]

Here's Kaffashian's actual interview (skip the 1st part of the video): http://video.varzesh3.com/iran/%D9%8...5%D9%87%D8%AF/

He doesn't say the game has been cancelled or that CQ is refusing to play Italy. He says that they've put the plans on hold for now until they can have a meeting to discuss the alternatives in the technical committee, because CQ feels that we can have 3 quality games for the cost of playing Italy.

Of course when it comes to arranging friendlies, IFF struggles even with things that fall on its lap, so I don't think this is going to end up being a choice between Italy or 3 decent teams, rather Italy and 3 crappy teams or nothing at all.

Hopefully, the Italians will just get off their high horse and lower their price since they're already booked that day.

[Kiarash]

1.5 million for a friendly game is ridiculous. Italy is on their high horse while they havent done anything special after the World Cup 2006! Good on IFF and CQ if they refused to play them.

Get real, asking 1.5 million for one game where they will probably field their B players too is not worth it. I prefer to play teams like Tunisia, Egypt or New-Zealand instead.

[saadat_abad]

dreaming of the day where Iran comes to the U.S to play a friendly at the rose bowl