German footballing royalty Jurgen Klinsmann has sparked outrage following his comments about Iran at the 2022 World Cup.
Klinsmann - who used to be the coach of the USA - is now playing his trade as pundit, on hand to provide some expert analysis for Iran's clash with Wales.
But it seems some didn't view his analysis as 'expert' at all and are actually deeply offended by his play-calling.
Asked about the 'gamesmanship, niggling fouls and the behaviour of the coaching staff during the team's 2-0 win over the Welsh, Klinsmann unloaded on Iran.
“This is not by coincidence. This is all purposely. This is part of their culture, that’s how they play it,” Klinsmann told the BBC.
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“They work the referee. You saw the bench always jumping off and working the linesman and the fourth referee on the sideline.
“Constantly in their ears, constantly in your face on the field... this is their culture.
“They make you lose their focus, make you lose your concentration and what’s really important to you.”
When Klinsmann’s remarks were aired on the BBC's broadcast, the German World Cup-winner was met with a barrage of criticism.
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One person leading the calls for him to resign from his role was Iran’s current head coach Carlos Queiroz, who labelled Klinsmann a “disgrace to football.”
“Even not knowing me personally, you question my character with a typical prejudiced judgment of superiority,” Queiroz tweeted.
“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.”
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“Nobody can hurt our integrity if it is not at our level, of course.”
The former Manchester United assistant then invited Klinsmann to visit the Iranian camp in Qatar.
“Even saying so, we would like to invite you as our guest, to come to our National Team Camp, socialize 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,” he added.
“And also listen from our players how much they love and respect Football. As American/German, we understand your no support. No problem. 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.”
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However he did conclude by saying: “Obviously, we expect you to resign before you visit our camp.”
Topics: Football, Football World Cup
Max Sherry