IFP Exclusive

Daily slams football ‘mafia’ after Skocic reinstated as Iran head coach

The Iranian daily Kayhan has laid into what it called ‘mafia groups’ in Iran’s football for bringing back Dragan Skocic on board as the head coach of Iran’s national football team (Team Melli) after he almost lost the post for his weak performance.

The daily, known for its harsh criticism, reacted angrily after the Iranian Football Federation’s board of directors decided to keep the Croatian head coach to lead Team Melli during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Kayhan wrote, the Croat head coach is “undoubtedly the obedient puppet of unbridled and brazen brokers”, without providing any names.

It also said, “It turns out that the national team and, consequently our football in general is a hostage in the hands of opportunists and profiteers.”

Sacking Skocic had gone as far as speculations over his replacement, with Iran’s football legend Ali Daei and Iran’s Gol Gohar Sirjan FC’s head coach Amir Qalenoei among the top contenders.

IFP Editorial Staff

The IFP Editorial Staff is composed of dozens of skilled journalists, news-writers, and analysts whose works are edited and published by experienced editors specialized in Iran News. The editor of each IFP Service is responsible for the report published by the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website, and can be contacted through the ways mentioned in the "IFP Editorial Staff" section.

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