Queiroz rebuffs claims of leaving Iran

MNA – TEHRAN, Football Coach Carlos Queiroz rebuffed claims that he could leave Iran over payment issue with the Iran Football Federation (IFF).

The local newspapers have reported that the Portuguese is likely to part with Iran football since he has not yet received his initial salary.

The former Portugal coach was asked that is there any possibility of him leaving Iran, Queiroz said, “No, it’s not true. I will announce initial list of Iran football team players on May 22 and hold our first training camp from May 23 to 25.”

“I’m worried about the aged players who are in the team. Ryan Giggs is a 37-year old player, but Manchester United has a combination of young and experienced players. At the Manchester United – Schalke 04 match in the UEFA Champions League semifinal, three under 20 players were playing for the English club,” Queiroz, who is also a former Manchester United assistant, stated in a news conference, held at the Iran Football Camp on Thursday.

“I was moved by the reaction of the Iranian players after they lost to South Korea in the 2011 Asian Cup quarterfinal. They cried after they were defeated by the Koreans, and it shows that the Iranians are proud of their colors. I have to say to all the Iranian players that it’s enough for crying, and from now on tears will be converted into sweats. We need to work harder to achieve success,” Queiroz concluded.

Iran is scheduled to host Venezuela on June 5 and Madagascar on July 17.

Iran begins its long quest for a fourth World Cup appearance when it plays the Maldives in their opening qualifiers on July 23 and 28.