“It’s their culture” – Klinsmann outraged with controversial statements about Iran
Jürgen Klinsmann is working as a TV expert for the British “BBC” during the World Cup
What: REUTERS
Jürgen Klinsmann caused outrage with statements about Iranian culture. Iran’s coach Carlos Queiroz speaks of a “shame on football”. He demands the consequences of Fifa for the German.
Nfter his criticism of the Iranian way of playing at the World Cup, ex-national coach Jürgen Klinsmann was severely criticized by Iran’s coach Carlos Queiroz and asked to resign from the technical study group of the world association Fifa. The reason for the Iranian national coach’s drastic demand were statements made by Klinsmann in his capacity as a TV expert.
“It’s not a coincidence, it’s all intentional. It’s part of their culture and their way of playing, they handled the referee perfectly. The bench always jumped up and worked on the linesman and the fourth official on the touchline. They are constantly in your ear and in front of your face. That’s their culture, they make you lose your focus and concentration,” Klinsmann said after Iran’s 2-0 win over Wales on Friday on BBC TV about the behavior of the Iranian players and the coaching staff .
At the same time, Klinsmann explained that the Iranians benefited from the fact that “a Guatemalan referee” officiated the game. “With a different referee it would have been a big difference.” The ex-national coach had been heavily criticized for this on social media.
Iran coach calls for Klinsmann’s resignation
On Saturday, Queiroz also spoke up via Instagram and Twitter and criticized Klinsmann’s choice of words. “No matter how much I respect what you did on the field, these comments about Iranian culture, the Iranian national team and my players are a disgrace to football,” wrote the Portuguese coach. He is curious to see what consequences this will have for Klinsmann’s work for Fifa, because he expects his resignation.
The Iranian association joined this demand on Sunday. He demanded an apology from Klinsmann and asked FIFA for clarification. The Iranian team invited him to their training camp for a lecture “about the thousand-year-old Persian culture and the values of football and sport,” the association said. As a former footballer, Klinsmann is not judged on his “famous dramatic diver”.
