Robbie Savage blasted for 'disrespectful' comments about Iran in the build-up to Wales match

Robbie Savage has been furiously slammed for his 'disrespectful' comments about Iran in the build-up to Wales' World Cup clash on Friday.

The 48-year-old former Wales midfielder claimed Iran were 'useless' in their crushing 6-2 defeat to England and reckons Macclesfield, the non-league team he owns, would beat them.

"Iran were terrible, terrible, and you think Wales will finish bottom?" Savage asked co-host Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live’s 606.

He added: "I could still play against Iran now and win a game of football. Iran are that bad I think Wales and USA will beat Iran.

"I've watched all the TV coverage, Iran were useless. Macclesfield would beat Iran."

Savage's pre-match comments have come back to haunt him as Wales suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Iran, who secured a big win in Group B thanks to two late goals from Rouzbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian.

Chris Sutton took to social media to call out former Leicester City player Savage for his 'disrespectful' comments, claiming Wales were 'schooled' by Iran.

"'It's only Iran' @RobbieSavage8 said the other night," he tweeted.

"So disrespectful. Iran deserved this by far the better team. Wales have been schooled. Well played Iran."

“It’s only Iran” @RobbieSavage8 said the other night. So disrespectful. Iran deserved this by far the better team. Wales have been schooled. Well played Iran 🇮🇷👏👏

— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) November 25, 2022

As it stands, Wales are currently bottom of their World Cup group and risk elimination, with just one game left.

Rob Page’s men will resume their Qatar venture next Tuesday when they face England in a must-win contest.

Speaking after the 2-0 defeat to Iran, Wales star Gareth Bale expressed his frustrations by admitting he was 'gutted' by the result.

"We are gutted, there is no other way to say it," he told BBC.

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"We fought until the last second and we need to go again. We are all gutted but we have to pick ourselves up straight away.

"It is going to be difficult for us for sure. We will have to see. What can I say? We recover and we have to go again."

Will Wales book a spot in the next round of the tournament? Let us know what you think.