Queiroz sets ultimatum for World Cup hopefuls
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Loading...Persianfootball.com – TEHRAN, Iran boss Carlos Queiroz has once more enraged his colleagues at Iran’s top clubs by demanding all domestic players to join the national team camp by April 20.
In fact the Portuguese has vowed any Iran-based player not joining Team Melli’s preparations by that date would certainly not travel to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The ultimatum is particularily controversial as the final group match of the AFC Champions League as well as both round of 16 legs will be played after April 20.
Therefore the four Iranian clubs participating in the AFC Champions League – Esteghlal, Tractor Sazi, Sepahan and Foolad – would not have their best players at disposal for at least one if not three crucial matches.
Esteghlal coach Amir Ghalenoei and Sepahan manager Zlatko Kranjcar have already protested, but Queiroz is unwilling to make any compromises in regards to the national team’s World Cup preparations – especially after the football federation had failed to implement his plans at all so far, wasting three FIFA matchdays in the meantime.
Queiroz had explained last year that the whole FIFA competition schedule is optimized for European and South American teams while it would be to the disadvantage of the rest of the world. Therefore Asian and African teams would be on the losing side if they comply with all rules and schedules. Instead countries like Iran must find ways to optimize their chances outside the standard plans, according to the former Real Madrid boss.
Indeed the AFC Champions League’s full-year schedule and the scheduling of games until middle of May would disturb Iran’s World Cup preparation plans.
Iran have been drawn into a tough group with Argentina, Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina for next year’s World Cup and will kick off versus the African giants on June 16.
